Ephraim McDowell Health’s three hospitals have launched a We Ask Because We Care campaign as part of the health care system’s efforts to eliminate healthcare disparities in the community.

We Ask Because We Care relates to a series of questions that all patients are asked when being admitted to one of the health care system’s hospitals.  The information collected will be used to help improve the quality of care provided to each patient.

“The questions we are asking will help us to get to know our patients better so that we can address any disparities to the services they receive,” said Jason Dean, Ephraim McDowell Health Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness.

Dean explained that some patients may not be in their optimal health due to racial and ethnic barriers or because they speak a language other than English.  Other factors that may influence a patient’s health include education, housing and food insecurity.

Through the We Ask Because We Care campaign, hospital nursing staff will ask patients a series of questions that will help to identify needs in the community.

The information collected from patients will be maintained in the patient’s medical record.  The information is private and protected by law.  Patients are not required to answer the questions if they choose not to.

“In the end, the information we collect can be used to help us better address needs in the community,” Dean said.  “This information helps us to learn more about our diverse patient population.  That, in turn, helps us to improve the quality of care provided to each patient.”