Beyond the Stroke Center Certification Standards: Focusing on Patient Health-related Social Needs (HRSN) in Stroke

Introduction/Background: Medical care and rehabilitation are critical components of stroke recovery. However, recent attention to social determinants of health (SDOH) and more recently, health-related social needs (HRSN) highlight numerous non-health related needs that play a pivotal role in a survivor’s well-being, quality of life and reintegration into the community following a critical illness like stroke. These needs, often overlooked, are essential to optimal recovery, hospital readmission avoidance, and long-term well-being. This article differentiates HRSNs from SDOH and discusses how governmental and regulatory agencies are taking steps to compel hospital providers to address these needs. HRSNs may offer a pathway for individual providers and program-level interventions that could impact patient outcomes. Stroke programs are uniquely positioned to work with their hospital system to address HRSNs in their patient population to improve outcomes.