SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Unrecognized Disability and Accommodation Needs in the Inpatient Care Setting

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This study examined disability status, accommodation needs, and health-related social needs (HRSN) among hospitalized general medicine patients at a single academic medical center, and assessed whether clinicians recognized patients’ disabilities.<br /><br />Researchers interviewed patients on hospital days 2–3 using a structured survey about disability, HRSN, and needed accommodations. They then separately surveyed members of the care team, including physicians/advanced practice providers and nurses, about whether they knew the patient had a disability. Responses were entered into REDCap and short-answer comments were thematically coded.<br /><br />Among 300 enrolled patients, 204 (68%) reported at least one disability type, and 104 (34.7%) reported two types. This suggests disability was highly prevalent in the inpatient population. Among 226 patients with at least one care-team response, awareness of disability was limited: only 42.7% of physicians/APPs and 53.8% of nurses recognized that their patient had a disability.<br /><br />The findings also showed that patients with disabilities frequently experienced HRSN, including transportation, food, housing, mental health, social support, and medication-related needs. These needs can complicate care planning and discharge.<br /><br />Overall, the study concludes that disability is likely under-recognized in hospitalized patients despite being common and often associated with additional social needs. The authors argue that health care workers need more support to identify disability, understand accommodation needs, and address HRSN as part of routine inpatient care and discharge planning.

Asset Subtitle

Carol Haywood

Meta Tag

Author List Carol Haywood, Clayton Barnes, Kevin O'Leary, Rachel H. Desai, Tara Lagu

Category Research

Concept Disability

Concept Prevalence

Concept Social Needs

Concept Hospitalized Medicine Patients

Concept Type of Disability

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Northwestern University

Presenting Author Carol Haywood

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

disability status

hospitalized patients

general medicine

accommodation needs

health-related social needs

HRSN

care team awareness

physician recognition

nurse recognition

discharge planning

Disability

Prevalence

Social Needs

Hospitalized Medicine Patients

Type of Disability