Comparing social needs of readmitted and non-readmitted paediatric patients at a free-standing children's hospital

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmissions are costly for both patients and hospitals and can be affected by social needs. Little is known about whether social needs differ between paediatric patients who require readmission within 30 days and those who do not. 

METHODS: Using the results of a social needs screening tool, this retrospective, observational study aimed to compare (1) the average number of social needs per patient and (2) the proportion of patients with specific social needs between paediatric patients readmitted to the hospital and a matched number of randomly selected non-readmitted paediatric patients. The screening tool was administered electronically and completed within 180 days of the studied encounter. 

RESULTS: Of 240 patients studied, 120 had been readmitted within 30 days, and 120 had not. There were no significant differences in demographic parameters between the two groups. Nearly 27% of all patients had one or more needs identified, although there were no significant differences between readmitted and non-readmitted patients in the proportion with social needs in general or with any specific need. Food (14.2%) and childcare (13.8%) needs were identified most frequently. While the average number of needs was higher for readmitted than for non-readmitted patients, the difference was not statistically significant (0.65 vs. 0.38; p = 0.066). 

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, readmission status was not linked to a higher proportion of any individual social need or average number of needs; however, more than 25% of all patients had one or more needs. This suggests the importance of screening during all admissions, as hospitalization provides an opportunity to address needs for those who may not have consistent access to health care.