ACA Prompts Limited English Proficiency Patient Surge Among U.S. Hospitals – JoTo PR Signs Stratus Video Interpreting, Brings Awareness to Language Barriers in Healthcare
Tampa Bay, FL (PRWEB) May 06, 2014 -- JoTo PR has announced that they have extended their clientele with the recent signing of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) company Stratus Video Interpreting. As the increasingly diverse U.S. population causes a rise in language barriers in hospitals, Stratus offers an advanced system that connects healthcare facilities with a cloud-based network of certified spoken language interpreters with the ability to translate over 175 different spoken and sign languages.
Twenty-one million Americans are of a Limited English Proficiency (LEP), meaning they possess a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English (1)—and reports show that failing to remove language barriers in a healthcare facility can potentially result in life-and-death situations. And despite awareness of the need for better language support services in healthcare increasing in recent years, Stratus CEO Sean Belanger says progress has been limited and currently lacks standardization on a national scale.
As a Florida PR firm specializing in the healthcare industry, JoTo CEO Karla Jo Helms says that language barriers not only prevent effective and efficient communication between doctor and patient, but they also put patients’ safety, and by extension their lives, at risk.
“Leaving the safety of a patient to chance is an unnecessary risk when there is existing new technology that allows us to speak for those who are unable to – by providing fast and efficient video interpretation, Stratus assists healthcare facilities in saving lives each day,” said Helms.
Stratus’interpreting service is an application that can be loaded onto any PC, Mac, Smartphone or Tablet; the technology can even be integrated into Polycom and Cisco systems. Through a virtual private network, an encrypted call is placed to one of Stratus’ 33 video call centers across the U.S., and in less than 30 seconds an interpreter in that language is located and connected.
Stratus specializes in medical and court interpreting, but the company’s technology is applicable to every industry. Stratus employs experienced, highly-qualified interpreters who can either be used to supplement an existing interpreting infrastructure or to replace live and over-the-phone interpreters altogether.
Stein, JoTo PR Co-Owner and President, says public awareness through publicity is the most effective avenue for clients such as Stratus.
For more information about JoTo PR, including the various services and free resources available from the PR agency, visit http://www.jotopr.com.
About JoTo PR:
Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established public relations agency founded by PR veterans and innovators Karla Jo Helms and Diane D. Stein. JoTo blends proven traditional PR strategies with the latest digital communications methods to deliver the best advantages of both worlds, helping companies reach their target markets via the media much faster and more effectively. JoTo’s holistic approach to public relations services begins with strategic business PR planning and leads to a fully integrated program that is designed to optimize communication, improving return on investment (ROI) for a company’s marketing dollars while expanding business opportunities. The firm also specializes in crisis management public relations. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com.
About Stratus Video Interpreting:
Stratus Video Interpreting provides on-demand interpreter services by using technology to connect clients with interpreters in over 175 spoken and signed languages in less than 30 seconds. Stratus’ cloud-based video solution delivers an array of unique features to virtually any Internet-enabled PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet. Stratus clients use the technology to connect with their own staff interpreters, as well as with Stratus interpreters, who have years of healthcare and courtroom experience and hold multiple certifications. With Stratus, state-of-the-art video remote interpreting is made available with virtually no capital investment. Stratus averages 65,000 video calls a day, up from 40,000 in mid-2013. Stratus Video is the sister company of The Z® (CSDVRS, LLC, dba ZVRS), which was established in 2006 and developed by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, setting the industry standard as the nation’s premier Video Relay Service Provider and the first VRS Provider to receive a 5-Year certification from the FCC. For more information, visit http://www.stratusvideo.com.
1. “Do You Understand? Reach out to Patients With Limited English Proficiency.” Acep.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. acep.org/content.aspx?id=21624.
Karla Jo Helms, JoTo PR, +1 (888) 202-4614 Ext: 802, [email protected]
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