Hospital Adoption of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Disaggregated Data for Organizational Decision Making

Introduction Hospitals are interested in improving the quality of data disaggregation and collection to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. We evaluated the extent to which hospitals are adopting DEI disaggregated data to inform organizational decisions and the characteristics associated with this adoption. Methods We analyzed data from the 2022 American Hospital Association Annual Survey, which included the final iteration of a new survey item about hospital DEI disaggregated data adoption for decision making. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and negative binomial regression were used to evaluate this survey item. Results Among hospitals adopting DEI disaggregated data ( n = 2,596, 41.9%), two-thirds used these data to inform decisions about patient outcomes, half about training or professional development, and one-third about supply chain or procurement. Larger, tax-exempt, Veteran Affairs, or metropolitan hospitals are significantly more likely to adopt DEI disaggregated data for decision making. Limitations Our work is limited by the reporting of 1-y cross-sectional results. Conclusions Most hospitals adopt DEI disaggregated data to inform decisions about patient outcomes. Future research should explore whether hospital decisions or disaggregated data adoption have advanced DEI and health equity for underserved communities. Implications Analysis of disaggregated data adoption could reveal how hospitals make decisions and funding allocations to advance DEI goals and health equity. Highlights There is a limited understanding of the extent to which hospitals adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) disaggregated data to inform organizational decision making, highlighting a knowledge gap at the intersection of data equity and health care management. Among hospitals that adopt DEI disaggregated data, two-thirds use them to inform organizational decisions about patient outcomes, and half about professional development. Larger, tax-exempt, Veteran Affairs, or metropolitan hospitals are more likely to adopt DEI disaggregated data for organizational decision making. Future research is needed to explore whether hospital adoption of DEI disaggregated data has advanced DEI organizational goals and health equity for underserved populations.