Social Determinants Insights
8 Reasons Why Hospitals and Health Systems are Focused on Social Determinants of Health
Hospitals are using required screening tools to identify the risk factors of social determinants. Results will expand referral relationships to improve meaningful collaboration between healthcare providers and community-based organizations. Get to know the key reasons this is important to your organization.
Improved Patient Outcomes
Social determinants such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks significantly influence individual health outcomes. By addressing these factors, health systems can improve overall patient health, reduce disparities, and enhance quality of life.
Cost Reduction
Healthcare costs can be significantly reduced by addressing SDOH. When social needs are met, such as stable housing, food security, and transportation, there is often a decrease in hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and overall healthcare utilization. This can lead to substantial savings for both healthcare providers and payers.
Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management
By focusing on social determinants, health systems can better manage and prevent chronic diseases. For example, improving access to healthy foods and safe places for physical activity can help manage conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Preventive care initiatives are more effective when social barriers are reduced.
Enhanced Patient Engagement and Satisfaction
When health systems address SDOH, patients are more likely to engage with their care plans and feel satisfied with the services they receive. This can lead to better adherence to treatment regimens and follow-up appointments, ultimately resulting in improved health outcomes.
Regulatory and Accreditation Requirements
Regulatory bodies and accreditation organizations, such as the Joint Commission, increasingly recognize the importance of SDOH in healthcare quality. Health systems are encouraged or required to integrate SDOH into their care models and reporting structures to meet these standards.
Equity and Access to Care
Addressing SDOH helps promote health equity by ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential. This is particularly important in underserved communities where social barriers often contribute to health disparities.
Community Health Improvement
Health systems that focus on SDOH often collaborate with community organizations to address broader health issues. This community engagement can lead to more comprehensive health improvement efforts, benefiting both individuals and the community at large.
Data-Driven Decision Making
The collection and analysis of data on social determinants enable health systems to identify trends and gaps in care. This data-driven approach helps in tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of the population they serve, leading to more effective and efficient healthcare delivery.
What is SDOH-1 and SDOH-2?
These new measures establish screening for social risk factors and provide a rate for the inpatient population identified as having one or more of these social risk factors.
The primary goal is to get all hospitals to systematically collect patient-level social risk factor data to create “meaningful collaboration between healthcare providers and community-based organizations. Once a patient is identified as having a social risk factor, clinicians can link with community-based organizations to provide the other resources necessary to establish whole-person care.
Their second goal is to eventually use the data gathered in these measures to stratify patient risk and hospital performance rates.
SDOH-1: Screening for Social Drivers of Health to Identify the Number of Patients Who Have Been Screened For SDOH
SDOH-1 Populations in Layman’s Terms: Of all the patients admitted to the hospital, how many did you screen for SDOH?
Denominator: All patients admitted to your hospital who are 18 years or older.
Exclusions: Patients who opt-out of screening and/or patients who are unable to complete the screening during their stay and have no legal guardian or caregiver who can do so on their behalf.
Numerator: The number of patients who were screened for the five domains of SDOH (listed below).
SDOH-2: Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health to Identify the Number of Screened Patients Who Were Positive For SDOH
SDOH-2 Populations in Layman’s Terms: Of all the patients admitted to the hospital who received a SDOH screening, how many were identified as having one or more social risk factor?
Denominator: All patients admitted to your hospital who are 18 years or older and are screened for the five domains of SDOH.
Exclusions: Patients who opt-out of screening and/or patients who are unable to complete the screening during their stay and have no legal guardian or caregiver who can do so on their behalf.
Numerator: The number of patients who screened positive for any of the five domains of SDOH.
The results of the SDOH-2 measure will be calculated as five separate rates– one for each of the five domains.
SDOH 5 Domains
The required five SDOH domains are:
Food Insecurity: Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate quality and quantity of food at the household level.
Interpersonal Safety: Assessment for this domain includes screening for exposure to intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.
Housing Insecurity: Housing instability encompasses multiple conditions ranging from the inability to pay rent or mortgage, frequent changes in residence including temporary stays with friends and relatives, living in crowded conditions, and actual lack of sheltered housing in which an individual does not have a personal residence.
Transportation Insecurity: Unmet transportation needs include limitations that impede transportation to destinations required for all aspects of daily living.
Utilities: Inconsistent availability of electricity, water, oil, and gas services is directly associated with housing instability and food insecurity.
Introducing these measures is a part of the CMS’ efforts to expand the collection, reporting, and analysis of standardized data. Integrating social determinants of health (SDOH) into healthcare practices is essential for fostering a more effective, equitable, and sustainable health system.
Addressing social determinants enables health systems to enhance patient outcomes, reduce disparities, and ultimately improve the overall quality of care. By recognizing and acting on the factors that influence health beyond medical treatment – such as housing, nutrition, education, and socioeconomic status – healthcare providers can develop comprehensive care strategies that address the root causes of health issues. This holistic approach promotes individual well-being and contributes to the broader goal of health equity, ensuring that all populations can achieve optimal health.
