Unmet Health-Related Social Needs and Increased Acute Care Use Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to evaluate whether unmet health-related social needs (HRSNs) of adults with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder were associated with greater risk for and frequency of hospital readmissions and repeat emergency department visits after discharge and with longer inpatient length of stay (LOS). METHODS: Retrospective cohort analyses were conducted with electronic medical record data of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (N=629). Cox proportional hazards and negative binomial regression models were used to examine associations between unmet HRSNs (e.g., food or housing) and outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with patients without unmet HRSNs, patients with at least one unmet HRSN (N=186, 30%) had increased risk for and frequency of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits during follow-up, but no difference in cumulative LOS was found. Comorbid substance use disorders were associated with increased risk and frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet HRSNs were associated with increased risk for and frequency of acute care use up to 13 months postdischarge.