You are a volunteer serving meals at a local homeless shelter. Being an astute nurse, you notice an approximate 5-inch-long cut on the right forearm of an older white man. His forearm appears red and swollen.

You walk over to where he is seated and ask how he got the cut on his arm.

· He shares with you he used some old bedding materials for a makeshift shelter in one of the local homeless camps.

· He cut his arm on one of the old box springs.

· He appears to be feverish and there his right forearm is warm to touch.

· You ask if he has any medical conditions and he tells you he has a history of high blood pressure and a ‘touch of diabetes’.

Understanding the risk of an untreated infection, you tell him that he needs a comprehensive evaluation of the cut. He tells you he can’t do that because he doesn’t have health insurance and he has not been approved for Medicaid benefits yet. You will need to survey the healthcare system(s) and/or community resources to see where/how he will be able to get the care that he needs.

Create a PowerPoint presentation that provides the overview of the journey this patient will take through the community and/or healthcare system to receive the care he needs. Please use the template here: Unit 4 Systems-Based Case Study PowerPoint Template Download Unit 4 Systems-Based Case Study PowerPoint Templateas a guide to the PowerPoint presentation. Citations to support any factors or evidence incorporated are expected. A list of references for citations should be included on the reference slide. References should be current, published in the last five years using 7th edition APA format. Ensure reference links are enabled so faculty can access each reference

Include in the presentation:

· Information about where/how his acute care need will be evaluated and managed.

· Information about where/how his chronic care needs will be evaluated and managed.

Be sure to include enough information in your presentation that anyone else in your community would be able to aid the patient in accessing the care that he needs.

Step-by-Step Guide for Your PowerPoint

Step 1: Introduction Slide

Briefly introduce the patient scenario (homeless, uninsured, cut on forearm, feverish).
State the purpose: to map the patient’s journey through the healthcare system for acute and chronic care needs.
Include a graphic of the patient’s journey as a visual teaser if possible.

Step 2: Acute Care Needs

Evaluation of the Cut:
- Identify potential community resources:
  - Local free clinics or urgent care centers that accept uninsured patients.
  - Hospital emergency departments for acute infections or cellulitis.
- Discuss why immediate evaluation is critical (risk of infection, sepsis).
Management Steps:
- Cleaning and dressing the wound.
- Possible antibiotics and tetanus vaccination.
- Follow-up plan to ensure healing.

Tip: Use a flowchart or step-by-step diagram to show the process from identification of the cut → acute care evaluation → treatment → follow-up.

Step 3: Chronic Care Needs

Chronic Conditions:
- Hypertension and “touch of diabetes” require ongoing management.
Evaluation and Monitoring:
- Identify community programs for uninsured patients with chronic diseases (community health centers, sliding-scale clinics, free screening programs).
- Include blood pressure checks, blood glucose monitoring, and patient education.
Follow-Up and Continuity of Care:
- Discuss enrollment in Medicaid (once approved) or local health programs.
- Use case managers or social workers to connect him to long-term resources.

Step 4: Community Resources

List specific community-based organizations and services:
- Free or low-cost clinics
- Mobile health units
- Local public health departments
- Homeless shelters offering healthcare linkage
Include contact information and eligibility requirements so anyone could help the patient navigate care.

Step 5: Systems-Based Map

Use a visual diagram showing:
- Entry point (community shelter) → Acute care (urgent care or ED) → Chronic care follow-up → Medicaid enrollment → Ongoing care at community clinics.
Show connections between acute care, chronic care, and social services.

Step 6: Evidence-Based Support

Include current, peer-reviewed references (last 5 years) on:
- Management of infections in uninsured populations
- Strategies for providing care to homeless patients
- Chronic disease management in community settings
Ensure APA 7th edition formatting and live links for faculty access.

Step 7: Conclusion Slide

Summarize the patient’s journey.
Emphasize the importance of integrated care and resource awareness for vulnerable populations.
Highlight how social determinants of health (insurance status, homelessness) affect access to care.

Step 8: Reference Slide

List all sources in APA 7th edition format.
Example format:
- Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2022). Community-based care for underserved populations. Journal of Community Health, 47(3), 455–467. https://doi.org/xxxxx

✅ Tips for Success

Use visuals: flowcharts, tables, icons, and arrows to illustrate patient pathways.
Keep slides concise; expand explanations in the speaker notes (approx. 150 words per slide).
Include both acute care and chronic care considerations clearly.
Always cite sources on slides and in the reference list.

Navigating Healthcare for Uninsured Patients: A Systems-Based Approach to Acute and Chronic Care