COLUMBUS, Ohio and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When patients communicate with health care providers, medical jargon sometimes makes it seem they are speaking a different language. Imagine what it would be like if they were, in fact, speaking a different language. Concise two-way communication would be nearly impossible, leading to potentially undesirable outcomes.
Holy Cross Hospital is committed to providing the best experience for all patients, including those who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing. Utilizing Language Access Network's (LAN) state-of-the-art platform, Martti™ (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter), Holy Cross Hospital patients have access to live, two-way video medical interpreters at the touch of a button. LAN's Martti units provide nearly instant access to LAN's highly-trained medical interpreters in over 210 languages, including American Sign Language. Interpreters are located in LAN's HIPAA-compliant language centers throughout the country and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
"Holy Cross Hospital aims to break down barriers to health care, evidenced in part by our International Services department offering concierge services to patients coming from outside the United States," said Holy Cross Hospital's Associate Relations Coordinator, Rachel Thompson. "Martti serves as a valuable tool supporting our commitment to a 'Culture of Inclusion' in which all people are welcomed, valued and celebrated, and helps us communicate with our patients to get them the care they need."
Interpreting in health care is not new, however instant access to a huge array of languages is not possible utilizing on-site staffing alone. "The availability of Martti in hospitals has fundamentally changed the way LEP and Deaf/Hard of Hearing patients access health care. Once language barriers are removed, patients can begin making decisions about their care based on accurate and complete information," explains LAN CEO, James Edwards.
About Language Access Network, LLC
Language Access Network, LLC ("LAN") is the leader in trusted healthcare communications. LAN provides Video Medical Interpretation (VMI) services to more than 350 hospitals and other medical venues nationwide. As a physician owned company, solely focused on healthcare, LAN has unique insight into driving better outcomes, improving patient satisfaction and being a true partner to client hospitals. Targeted towards 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.
About Holy Cross Hospital
A part of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Holy Cross Hospital is a full-service, non-profit Catholic hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Since opening its doors in 1955, the 557-bed hospital has offered progressive services and programs to meet the evolving healthcare needs of individuals and families we serve. Today, Holy Cross has more than 600 physicians on staff representing more than 40 specialties and more than 3,000 employees.