Social needs and healthcare utilization in NICU graduates

Unplanned healthcare utilization after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge challenges families and healthcare systems. The impact of social needs on post-NICU healthcare utilization is underexplored. Our objective was to identify social needs among NICU graduates and examine associations between social needs and post-NICU healthcare utilization.

A prospective cohort design was used to screen for social needs and track healthcare utilization among 112 NICU graduates attending a NICU follow-up clinic (2021–2022). Associations between social needs and healthcare utilization were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests.

Of 112 patients screened, 20 (18%) had some social need. Infants with social needs experienced statistically significant higher rates of hospitalizations, overall encounters, and missed appointments.

Social needs are associated with increased unplanned healthcare utilization and missed appointments. Addressing these needs during NICU follow-up may improve preventative care attendance and reduce unplanned healthcare use, leading to better outcomes for vulnerable infants and cost-savings for healthcare systems.