06/14/2017

OSMA, Stratus Video, Partner to Bring Improved Language Access to Physicians

The goal is to offer improved language access to OSMA's membership

Leading language access and telehealth company, Stratus Video, has partnered with The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA), to offer improved language access to the organization’s 16,000 members. Through this partnership, OSMA physicians will be able to contract directly with Stratus Video for its language service offerings for limited English proficiency (LEP) and Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing patients.

As Ohio’s largest physician-led organization, the OSMA realizes that effective communication is vital to providing quality medical care. Its importance has been compounded by the recent implementation of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires compliance with federal standards designed to enable healthcare institutions to provide meaningful access to individuals in need of communication assistance. With Stratus Video Interpreting, Ohio physicians now have an easy way to leverage video remote interpretation (VRI) for their LEP patients.

“At OSMA, we value innovation that transforms healthcare delivery and improves the health of patients and the patient experience,” said OSMA Chief Executive Officer Todd Baker. “Stratus Video’s VRI offering aligns perfectly with our strategic initiative of supporting our physicians and their practices and guiding them into the future of healthcare.”

Stratus Video Interpreting combines the benefits of face-to-face interpretation with the on-demand nature of over-the-phone interpretation. The mobile app is easy to use and can be loaded onto any tablet, smartphone, desktop or laptop, giving users instant access to medically qualified interpreters and helping to minimize healthcare delays for LEP patients throughout the state of Ohio.

“Ohio, like the rest of the country, continues to diversify. Its population speaks a wealth of languages from Spanish, to Chinese, to German and beyond,” said David Fetterolf, Stratus Video's president of language services. “This is why we are thrilled to be working with OSMA, an organization that recognizes the importance of giving its members access to world-class technology to advance their practice in an ever-evolving patient landscape.”