After screening, what is the next step in the Health Leads process?

After screening, what is the next step in the Health Leads process?

• A. Reassess in a year
• B. Provide treatment plan
• C. Connect patients to resources
• D. Document in EMR only

Answer: (C)

Connecting patients to resources is the next step after screening. Screening finds unmet social needs that can affect health, and Health Leads is designed to move from identifying those needs to addressing them by linking patients with concrete supports—like food assistance, housing help, utilities relief, transportation, and other community resources—and by arranging referrals or warm handoffs. This action turns identified needs into real help, rather than waiting or focusing only on medical treatment. Documenting in the EMR happens as part of the process, but it doesn’t directly address the needs itself.

Connecting patients to resources is the next step after screening. Screening finds unmet social needs that can affect health, and Health Leads is designed to move from identifying those needs to addressing them by linking patients with concrete supports—like food assistance, housing help, utilities relief, transportation, and other community resources—and by arranging referrals or warm handoffs. This action turns identified needs into real help, rather than waiting or focusing only on medical treatment. Documenting in the EMR happens as part of the process, but it doesn’t directly address the needs itself.