COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hospitals are continually challenged to accommodate patient populations that are increasingly diverse. This begins with breaking language barriers to ensure that all patients have equal access to effective communication with their health care providers – a vital step in assuring the best outcomes.
As a 19-year "Consumer Choice Award" recipient and ranked as a "Best Hospital" by U.S. News and World Report, Aultman Hospital knows the importance of good patient experiences. Partnering with Language Access Network (LAN), Aultman Hospital has implemented the use of Martti™ (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter), LAN's state of the art Video Medical Interpreting (VMI) system. Martti gives health care providers and their Limited English Proficient (LEP) or Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients instant access to the highest quality, trained medical interpreters via live, two-way video/audio at the touch of a button.
"Martti has really been helpful with the influx of oil workers for the Utica shale drilling. We have been able to communicate with our increased Spanish-speaking population not only for work-related health care through Aultworks, but also to assist their families in utilizing health care through our immediate care, lab, radiology and therapy services," explains Gina Schoolcraft, director of coding and outbuildings for Aultman Health Foundation. "Thanks to Martti, we can communicate with this patient population with ease."
The mobile, wireless flat screen devices are easily transported alongside the patient throughout the hospital allowing the provider, the patient and the interpreter to clearly see and hear one another while communicating. These interpretations take place via LAN's dedicated HIPAA-compliant, secured network.
According to Aultman's Outpatient Surgery Department Manager, Casey Allison, ambulatory surgery has experienced an increase in non-English speaking patients. "Having Martti available prior to surgery allows the entire perioperative team to communicate with the patient. This helps ensure patient safety and decreases both pre- and post-operative anxiety," she said.
LAN interpreters are highly-trained, strictly for medical interpretations in over 210 languages, including American Sign Language and are located in dedicated LAN call centers throughout the U.S., available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"When language barriers are removed, a more accurate exchange of information is achieved, leading directly to more informed diagnoses and improved outcomes," explains LAN's founder and COO, Andrew Panos.
About Language Access Network, LLC
Language Access Network, LLC (LAN) is the leader in trusted health care communications, providing Video Medical Interpretation (VMI) services to more than 350 hospitals and other medical venues nationwide. Physician owned and solely focused on health care, LAN has unique insight into driving better outcomes, improving patient satisfaction and being 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 with 24/7/365 access to the highest quality, medically trained interpreters available via its centralized video language centers. www.lan.us
About Aultman
Aultman Health Foundation is a not-for-profit health care organization serving Stark and surrounding Ohio counties. The vertically integrated institution includes Aultman Hospital, Aultman Orrville Hospital, the locally managed health-insurance provider AultCare and the Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With 808 beds, 535 active physicians and a staff of nearly 5,000 employees, Aultman is Stark County's largest hospital and employer. www.aultman.org