Optimized Health-Related Social Needs Screening and Community Linkages

Optimized Health-Related Social Needs Screening and Community Linkages

The objective of this study is to to understand the most effective method for health-related social need (HRSN) screening in the challenging environment of an emergency department by randomizing patients to oral or written HRSN screening in the ED.

Bilingual research assistants (RA) will screen patients for eligibility based on the predetermined criteria and approach eligible patients with a brief description of the study and opportunity for participation. Interested participants will complete a verbal consent process to reduce the barriers to participation, a brief demographic questionnaire, and an assessment of health literacy (Newest Vital Sign) followed by the Partners Healthcare HRSN screener randomized to an oral v. iPad screening strategy.

After completion of the screening tool, participants will complete a secondary questionnaire asking about satisfaction with the process, the presence of additional HRSN not recorded by the Partners HealthCare screener, and their perspectives on screening. At the conclusion, all participants will be provided with standardized, bilingual list of community resources to address each of the screening domains.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age ≥ 18 years patients and either a parent/guardian of a pediatric/cognitively disabled patient in the MGH ED,
2. triaged to the Acute, CDU, Fast Track, Urgent, and Pediatrics areas,
3. English- or Spanish-speaking, and
4. capable of informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients unwilling to have the interview audio-recorded,
2. medically unstable patients, and
3. Section 12, lack of capacity medical hold, sexual assault, child abuse, and emotionally distressed patients.