Ascension NE Wisconsin - St. Elizabeth Campus, Appleton, 2024 Community Benefits
Providing Interpretation Services for Non-English-Speaking Patients at Hope Clinic
For the last two years, Ascension NE Wisconsin - St. Elizabeth Campus has paid for all interpretation services at the Hope Clinic & Care Center in Menasha.
The clinic provides an array of healthcare services free of charge to those who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise lack access to quality health care. The Hope Clinic provides healthcare services, counseling, and care navigation or social assistance referrals for patients.
Clear communication and understanding is key to getting proper care. During the last fiscal year, Ascension St. Elizabeth supported around 1,700 encounters for language services for non-English-speaking patients of Hope Clinic.
“We are called upon as human beings to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors,” Ascension Wisconsin Market Manager of Language Service Mai Xiong said. “Not knowing the language when you’re feeling sick, and trying to explain what’s going on to medical personnel can be difficult and scary. Language is an obstacle to seeking care and anything we can do to help patients overcome that barrier is a huge step for them toward getting better.”
With assistance from Ascension St. Elizabeth in 2023, the Hope Clinic saw a 36% increase in telehealth visits and 373 appointments with a variety of specialists. In addition, care navigation appointments saw a 20% increase, while social service referrals increased by 13%.
The clinic provides an array of healthcare services free of charge to those who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise lack access to quality health care. The Hope Clinic provides healthcare services, counseling, and care navigation or social assistance referrals for patients.
Clear communication and understanding is key to getting proper care. During the last fiscal year, Ascension St. Elizabeth supported around 1,700 encounters for language services for non-English-speaking patients of Hope Clinic.
“We are called upon as human beings to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors,” Ascension Wisconsin Market Manager of Language Service Mai Xiong said. “Not knowing the language when you’re feeling sick, and trying to explain what’s going on to medical personnel can be difficult and scary. Language is an obstacle to seeking care and anything we can do to help patients overcome that barrier is a huge step for them toward getting better.”
With assistance from Ascension St. Elizabeth in 2023, the Hope Clinic saw a 36% increase in telehealth visits and 373 appointments with a variety of specialists. In addition, care navigation appointments saw a 20% increase, while social service referrals increased by 13%.
