Community Benefits
Serving a Diverse Population
The faces of Iowans, like most of those throughout the nation, have changed to reflect a more diverse population, thus creating a need to embrace our differences and create a health care environment that is accessible to all.
Interpretation Services
A first-time mother in labor at Mercy Birth Center is full of anxiety and fear that is compounded by her inability to communicate with her health care providers. Mercy Interpretation Services help bridge the gap of communication by offering around-the-clock interpretation services.
Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa also has promoted access and improved quality care to newly immigrated Hispanic persons through:
- A prenatal clinic for low-income Hispanic women
- An established Hispanic Women's Outreach program
- A Cultural Diversity Task Force comprised of Mercy associates
- Mercy Family Health Line by providing health information and assistance to Spanish-speaking callers.
- Prioritized, planned, and lead systemic, coordinated strategies to meet the distinct cultural and language needs of Hispanic persons
In addition, Mercy - North Iowa has helped:
- 49 people complete one of five 20-hour basic interpreter training programs offered by Mercy
- 98 people enroll in medical vocabulary classes
- 32 people participate in two interpreter skills classes
- 1,200 people attend an in-service regarding how to access interpretation services
Namaste Clinic
Namaste Outreach Collaborative-Hampton Obstetric Clinic was developed in response to the needs of low-income women. The Namaste Clinic is a collaborative effort of Mercy Family Medicine Residency, Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, Franklin General Hospital, Public Health of Franklin County and North Iowa Community Action Organization.
The Namaste Clinic is designed to provide optimal prenatal and postpartum health care to mothers in order to prevent complications or to recognize and address potential problems as early as possible. The full range of obstetrical services provided by the clinic includes prenatal risk assessments, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, lab tests, ultra sounds, nutritional education, and vaccination updates.
- 20 patients had 108 appointments within the last six months
- Within six months, the clinic was open 22 weeks, three hours per week or 66 hours in six months.
