Increasing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Screening Rates among Hospitalized Patients through increase Utilization of the SDoH Navigator and Nurse Education

Author: J'Adore LarosaMattis

Field of Study: Health and Wellness

Faculty Mentors: Judith Quaranta

Easel: 2

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Social determinants of health (SDoH) significantly impact health outcomes, often more than medical care alone (WHO, 2024). Patients with low socioeconomic status face higher post-discharge risks, increasing readmissions (Virapongse & Misky, 2018). Despite their importance, SDoH screening remains inconsistent. Integrating SDoH data into Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is essential for addressing disparities and guiding targeted interventions (Liu et al., 2024). This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance nurse education and increase SDoH Navigator utilization within the hospital’s EHR system to improve SDoH screening rates. Five nurses in a 40-bed telemetry unit participated in an educational intervention, including interactive training and hands-on demonstrations. The Addressing Client Needs with Social Determinants of Health Scale (ACN: SDH) assessed pre- and post-intervention knowledge. Post-test scores showed an 80% increase in correct responses, indicating improved SDoH knowledge and Navigator use. However, a small sample size limited finding.