Social health surveillance has potential to prevent readmissions

A retrospective observational study published in the current issue of The American Journal of Managed Care found hospitalized individuals who needed assistance with housing, food, transportation or paying for utilities were 68% more likely to be readmitted within 30 days and 101% more likely to be readmitted within six months than other patients. The researchers analyzed social service referral and Medicare Advantage and Medicaid claims data for more than 27,000 people served by a single managed care organization (MCO). “The study highlights the potential to leverage social care referral data to identify individuals who may be susceptible to hospital readmissions,” said the lead author. The paper adds, “Passive social health surveillance systems could enable MCOs to play an important role in integrating medical and social care by complementing the social health screenings of medical care providers.” (Business Wire news release, 8/23/19)