COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a volunteer organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those who might not otherwise have healthcare, The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic, under the auspices of St John the Evangelist Parish, has found an innovative means of ensuring the highest quality of care is always available for its increasingly diverse patient population.
It is a fact that if patients and providers do not speak the same language, they cannot communicate effectively and the outcomes can be devastating. Utilizing Language Access Network's (LAN) state-of-the-art Video Medical Interpreting (VMI) technology, Martti™ (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter), the Clinic's Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients and their providers have 24/7 access to LAN's highly-trained medical interpreters in over 210 languages, including American Sign Language, literally at their fingertips. LAN interpreters are located in its HIPAA-compliant language centers throughout the country and communicate via two-way video over its dedicated, secure broadband network.
"It's all about respect," said Gloria Blandina, Clinic Director. "Our population is becoming more and more diversified and one of our major goals is to help people maintain their self-respect and dignity. Martti allows us to do just that." She added that they are grateful to Leadership Wilkes-Barre 2014 for their assistance in bringing Martti to the clinic. A member of the program approached the Clinic in search of a service project to undertake and Blandina suggested Martti, which was at the top of her wish list upon seeing the units at Geisinger Medical Center.
"Having on-site interpreters can be costly and it is really not possible to have on-site staff for so many languages at the instant they are required," explains LAN COO, Andrew Panos. "Having Martti available at the beginning of, and throughout, a medical encounter helps reduce patient anxiety and gives providers the accurate information needed to diagnose and treat with confidence."
About Language Access Network, LLC
Language Access Network, LLC (LAN) is the leader in trusted healthcare communications. LAN provides video remote interpretation (VRI) services to hospitals and other medical venues nationwide. As a result of LAN being 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 our client hospitals. Targeted towards Limited English Proficient and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patient populations, LAN provides its rapidly growing client base (currently over 350 medical facilities nationwide) with 24/7/365 access to the highest quality & trained interpreters available via its centralized video language centers. www.lan.us
About The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic
The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic is located in the former Seton Catholic High School building in Pittston and is under the auspices of St. John the Evangelist Parish. The Clinic serves people who are uninsured from all walks of life from several different counties in NEPA. The volunteer staff consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, podiatrists and non-medical professionals. The Clinic has truly made a difference in the lives of so many people who might not otherwise have healthcare. It is a privilege to be part of this volunteer team of truly caring individuals.