In today’s overwhelmed healthcare system, patient barriers frequently go unaddressed. Episcopal Health Services offers Patient Navigation services to help address barriers to accessing timely, high-quality care. Patient Navigation is a process by which trained professionals guide you through and around those barriers. Patient Navigation can reduce or eliminate many of the barriers to care, including:
Healthcare barriers: If you experience fragmented services and a lack of coordination of available services.
Financial Barriers: If you have insufficient insurance or financial resources.
Physical Barriers: If you live far from services or do not have a car or access to public transit.
Informational/Educational Barriers: If your primary language is not English, or if you are unable to obtain, read, understand, or use healthcare information to make appropriate health decisions, or if you are unable to get the information you want about your care.
Social Barriers: If you experience housing instability, food insecurity, or can’t keep your appointments because of your work schedule or age (needs for child or elder care, etc.).
What Are Patient Navigators?
Patient Navigators specialize in providing personalized healthcare guidance to help you solve problems and overcome barriers that might keep you from getting the best care possible. Patient Navigators are here to listen to your concerns and understand your needs. They are dedicated to assessing patients’ needs and connecting them with appropriate resources. Patient Navigators advocate on your behalf, enhancing communications with your providers and community-based resources and providing critical support throughout your healthcare journey. They are trained healthcare workers who guide patients in overcoming healthcare access and utilization barriers.
Patient navigators work with patients and help them address unmet needs by providing a compassionate support system in the following care settings:
- The Emergency Department
- Ambulatory Care
- Inpatient
- Behavioral Health
How Can a Patient Navigator Help?
A patient navigator can provide the resources and support needed by patients. A Patient Navigator can work with you to:
- Help you receive culturally competent care that is also confidential, respectful, compassionate, and mindful of your safety.
- Guide you through the healthcare system, providing health resources and support systems.
- Assist in coordinating your care with other team members throughout the healthcare system.
- Arrange for tests and other appointments.
- Connect you with community resources such as food, housing, transportation, support groups, etc.
- Help you find appropriate resources to pay for your health care needs, if necessary.
- Anticipate obstacles and address them.
Please ask your care team about the Patient Navigation Program, or for more information, contact us using the form below.