Care for All Cultures

Our patients come from many races and cultures, speak many languages and practice many religions.

No matter what the person's background, it's our job to respect and respond to a person’s culture while giving the best possible care. We created the following statement as a reminder and enforcer of our commitment:

We welcome the diversity of our patients, their loved ones, employees and providers.

We are patient-centered and culturally responsive, respecting the beliefs, values and practices of the community and our workforce.

Milestone goal

HealthEast's milestone goal is to be the benchmark for health care quality in the Twin Cities by 2010. This goal includes everyone, no exceptions. Here are some examples of what HealthEast is doing to provide culturally-responsive care:

• We are collecting information about our patients' race, ethnicity and language preferences to link that information to patient outcomes. This will assure all our patients receive the same high quality care. Fewer than 20% of American hospitals have taken these actions.
  
  
• We have dramatically increased the number of foreign language interpreters at HealthEast and substantially improved language access across HealthEast Care System. Click here for more information.
  
  
• We now provide signage throughout HealthEast’s four hospitals that is made up of universal symbols instead of the written word to direct patients and their loved ones throughout the hospitals. No matter what your native language, these universally-recognized symbols will lead them to where you need to go.
  
  
• More than 500 HealthEast leaders and staff members have gone through cultural competence training.
  
  
• We offer patients and families an interpreter line in more than 150 languages. Simply call 1-888-574-7131 and choose your language, then you can request interpreter service to get assistance in scheduling appointments, communicating with a provider and more.

All cultures; all quality care

Every individual deserves the highest quality of care, and HealthEast staff members are committed to providing compassionate service that respects the dignity of each person and welcomes all faith traditions, cultures and communities. Toward this end, HealthEast welcomes physicians, nurses, other professionals, staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds and cultures and seeks to establish and maintain policies, practices and attitudes that are respectful, culturally responsive and inclusive of the communities we serve.

Culturally responsive care ties directly to the HealthEast Quality Institute. All of our quality efforts are based on the Institute of Medicine aims.