Early identification of vulnerability and complex needs: Social Work Admission Assessment Tool

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the suitability of the Social Work Admission Assessment Tool (SWAAT) in hospital settings, focusing on its association with emergency department use, social work intervention, and hospital readmission. Method: SWAAT was administered during routine care over a three-month period in the emergency department and internal medicine units of two Portuguese hospitals. The sample included 436 service users aged 20–104 years. Results: Higher SWAAT scores were associated with more frequent emergency department use and a greater likelihood of social work intervention. Age moderated the relationship between vulnerability and emergency department use. Social work intervention also moderated the association between vulnerability and hospital readmission. Discussion: These findings support the usefulness of SWAAT as a structured resource for identifying social and clinical vulnerability and supporting referral and decision-making processes within interdisciplinary hospital care.