wor ld cla s s care


Additional Interpreter Services Help Ensure Clear Communication


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hen it comes to accessing health care, no one can afford to be misunderstood. For the deaf and those


whose primary language is not English, Froedtert & The Medical College ofWisconsin offer an array of interpreter services for patients to make sure care is accessible. The hospital’s team of professional in-house interpreters offers assistance in American Sign Language (ASL), Russian and Spanish, and 150 other languages can be accessed via phone and local interpreting agencies. Froedtert has enhanced its commitment to clear communication with the addition of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).


Initiated with a grant from Dynacare Laboratories to the


Froedtert Hospital Foundation, VRI gives patients immediate access to an online interpreter at any hour. Using audio and Web cameras, this state-of-the-art service offers two-way communication via a secure Internet connection.


“Providing live interpreters is important for patients but providing them around the clock can be a challenge,” said Olga


Kozlova, MA, MBA, manager of Language Services. “It can take time to get someone, especially in the middle of the night. With VRI, staff can access a virtual interpreter in about 15 seconds.” From scheduling through examinations, treatment and follow-up, the range of interpretive services assures that patients and practitioners understand one another, every step of the way.


To learn more about languages services at Froedtert & The Medical College, call 414-805-8888. To learn more about other family and patient services, visit froedtert.com. n


qual i ty B Commitment to Healthy Employees Can Pay Off


ringing health care services to the workplace enables employers to keep their health care costs in check – typically saving $3 for every $1 invested – while improving the health of its workforce.


The City of Milwaukee partners with Froedtert Health’s Workforce Health program to better manage health care


costs while improving the overall health of more than 9,000 employees and their spouses. From a field of 15 providers, City officials selected Froedtert to


implement a customized program. Participating employees provide confidential baseline data through a health assessment and blood tests. With the results, they receive health coaching and follow-up services.


“We really liked Froedtert’s approach – especially the face-to-face


contact with a health coach and the follow-up services,” said Mike Brady, the City’s employee benefits director.


“We help guide employees to make changes that will enhance their overall


health and well-being,” said Barb Fagan, MS, director of employer services for Froedtert Health. “Positively shifting the health of the population can also drive down the cost to the employer. It’s usually less expensive to treat an illness if it’s detected early, and the outcomes are usually better, too.”


Brady said after one year combined data shows that employees have


participated in more than 6,000 hours of coaching to assist with improving blood pressure, cholesterol and activity levels. In other cases, employees have lost significant amounts of weight, stopped smoking or begun to exercise.


“The bottom line is we want healthy employees,” Brady said. “If public


funds contribute to their health insurance, having employees stay healthier longer is clearly an advantage for everyone.”


For more information, visit workforcehealth.org or call 262-253-5150. n 14 Froedtert Today January 2012 froedtert.com


n Many workers have improved their health since their employer, the City of Milwaukee,


partnered with Froedtert Health’s workforce health program.


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