Wishard Health Services Offers Tools to Access Healthcare
May 09, 2006
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis - Statistics show that Hispanics are the fastest growing population in Indianapolis, expanding from approximately 13,500 to 47,000 between 1999 and 2004.
The growing Hispanic population in Indianapolis has resulted in Wishard Health Services establishing programs specifically aimed at assisting the Hispanic population. Hispanic Health Resources is focused on the healthcare needs of the Spanish-speaking population that Wishard serves. A variety of services are offered to Wishard's Hispanic patients, including interpretation, assistance scheduling appointments, prenatal classes, and other education programs about HIV/AIDS, STDs, substance abuse and child abuse prevention.
Wishard's Hispanic Health Resources (formerly Hispanic Health Project) has been in existence since 1995 and works to improve access to healthcare for the Hispanic community in Marion County, especially those who speak only Spanish or have limited English skills. Hispanic Health Resources currently has over 30 bilingual and bicultural professionals representing different countries and educational backgrounds.
"Since the Hispanic Health Resources was established more than 10 years ago, we have continually looked at ways to expand the services we provide to the Hispanic community," said Gloria King, director of Multicultural Affairs at Wishard Health Services. "In 2004 alone, Hispanic Health Resources provided more than 170,000 outreach services including translations and interpretations for patients, community educational classes and assistance throughout the healthcare process."
Throughout Wishard Health Services, Spanish interpreters are available to assist patients and their families. One example of this is the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center and Emergency Department. The IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center treats more than 2,500 injured patients each year and became the first Level I trauma center in the state in 1992 to be verified by the American College of Surgeons. It remains one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Indiana. Wishard operates the single busiest Emergency Department in the state of Indiana, caring for nearly 100,000 patients in 2005. Spanish interpreters are available to assist in the Trauma Center and Emergency Department at all times.
In addition to the urgent care services that Wishard provides, eight community health centers are located throughout Marion County, including its Primary Care Center on the Wishard campus. At these facilities Wishard offers an array of services including physical exams, prenatal care, pregnancy tests, social services, dental services and more. Spanish interpreters and advocates are available to assist patients at all of Wishard's community health centers.
To access these services, Marion County residents are encouraged to call Health Connection, a telephone call center that operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The call center is also available to assist and provide helpful information to people with questions. Registered nurses who have access to a wide variety of up-to-date healthcare information evaluate people over the phone and connect them to the most appropriate level of care. Health Connection provides physician referrals and matches people with the most appropriate physician based on the patient's location, language and personal preference. Health Connection staff members also register people for classes and can inform them about the many services available at Wishard.
For more information on Wishard's Hispanic Health Resources or the services Wishard provides, please call Health Connection at (317) 655-2255.