Molly Erwin, MHNP, RN Social Services

Ashland Community Hospital Social Services and Discharge Planning for patients staying in the hospital is managed by Molly Erwin, MHNP, RN. 

Services Include:

Social services for the following:

• Community resources
• Placement options
• Home health/Hospice options
• Referrals to specific agencies for financial assistance
• Reporting of elder and domestic/child abuse 
• Community resources for drug and alcohol treatment
• Emergency housing
• Assistance with pharmacy programs

Discharge planning, including:

• Identifying a patient's clinical picture at the time of discharge
• Providing information for the patient and family about appropriate resources
• Identifying where to get or rent home care equipment
• When necessary, making arrangements for air travel to get the patient back home, using either a medical flight or domestic flight

End of life planning, including:

• Advance Directives:  explaining how to fill them out, and what they mean in a clinical setting
• Identifying care options: home vs. nursing home, and hospice benefits in either placement
• Informing patients and loved ones regarding comfort measures vs. aggressive medical treatment
• Discussing ethical concerns
• Conducting family conferences

Maternal/Newborn services interfacing between community agencies and patients, including:

• Adoption agencies 
• Jackson County Maternal/Child
• Health Services to Children and Families.

Mental health service and referrals for employees:

• Employees are self-referred or referred by a unit manager 
• In most cases, one to three confidential sessions are provided
• Recommendations for a community-based counselor/therapist
  

Debriefing hospital employees during difficult cases:

• Provide voluntary service for employees
• Grief counseling
• Provide help to identify when outside counseling should be considered