Optimized Health-Related Social Needs Screening and Community Linkages

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.