Social determinants of health data reporting and hospitals’ 30-day readmissions

BACKGROUND: Hospitals' utilization of social determinants of health data represents an important strategy for improving patient outcomes and reducing 30-day readmissions. PURPOSE: Using a contingency theory lens, this study investigated the relationship between hospitals' use of social needs data (SND) and 30-day readmission rates for conditions targeted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Hospital Readmission Reduction Program. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted using data from general and surgical acute care hospitals ( n =1,350). Regression models were used to examine associations between SND usage and 30-day readmission rates. FINDINGS: Hospitals using SND for referrals to social service organizations experienced a 0.46-point decrease in heart failure readmissions ( p