M5 · Clinical Practice
M5
Slide 16
CONTENT
5. Emergency Department Cycling
Many individuals experiencing homelessness cycle repeatedly through emergency departments.
Reasons include:

Acute psychiatric crises

Intoxication

Withdrawal symptoms

Infections

Wound complications

Exacerbation of chronic disease

Pain crises

Emergency use is often a symptom of fragmented outpatient care.
It may indicate:

Insufficient support intensity

Poor discharge planning

Lack of ACT-level intervention

Absence of medical respite

Weak coordination between hospital and housing services

Emergency department cycling is rarely a behavioural problem. It is often a system-level signal.