COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sanford Bemidji Hospital has partnered with Language Access Network (LAN) to ensure that all patients have access to effective communication with their healthcare providers, even when they don't speak the same language.
Utilizing LAN's innovative Martti ™ (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter) platform, patients and providers have one-touch access to live video interpreters in more than 210 languages, including American Sign Language, for Limited English Proficient patients and those who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. "By implementing Martti right where care is administered, Sanford Bemidji is able to quickly access a highly-qualified team of language professionals," explains James Edwards, LAN's CEO. "Not only does this improve care, but also helps the hospital realize increased efficiency in the delivery of that care."
A revolutionary mobile device, Martti resembles a flat screen television and can be either carried to follow a patient, or rolled alongside on its wireless, wheeled cart. Healthcare providers simply touch the screen and an operator connects them with a live interpreter in the selected language within seconds. LAN's highly skilled medical interpreters are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are located in any of LAN's five HIPAA-compliant Language Centers throughout the country.
"Providing timely interpreter services is a priority at Sanford Bemidji," said Joy Johnson, COO of Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota. "This new technology provides both our physicians and patients with interpreter services 24/7, improving communication, trust and outcomes."
About Language Access Network, LLC
Language Access Network, LLC ("LAN") is the leader in trusted healthcare communications, providing video remote interpretation (VRI) services to hospitals and other medical venues nationwide. Physician owned and solely focused on healthcare, the company has unique insight into how to drive better outcomes, improve patient satisfaction and be a true partner to its client hospitals. Targeted toward Limited English Proficient and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients, LAN provides its rapidly growing client base of over 350 medical facilities with 24/7/365 access to the highest quality and trained interpreters available via its centralized video language centers.
www.lan.us
About Sanford Bemidji
Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, inclusive of Sanford Bemidji, has more than 1,500 employees, 123 physicians/advanced practice providers and 143 acute care beds. Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota includes hospitals in Bemidji and Bagley and eight clinics with locations in Bagley, Baudette, Bemidji, Blackduck, Cass Lake, Clearbrook, Kelliher and Walker, Minnesota.