Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, ST. LUKES EPISCOPAL HEALTH SYSTEM, Houston, TX
Medical Information Center, Consulate General of Mexico-Houston

What is it?
St. Luke's Episcopal Health System has partnered with Texas Children's Hospital to open a Medical Information Center inside the Consulate General of Mexico. The Center officially opened November 13, 2006

The project is a community service intended to serve as a resource to the Consulate's 95,000 annual visitors through the healthcare system in Houston. This is a free service that is also available to the entire community. The Center, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, is staffed by bilingual volunteers from both St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital.

"There is a strain on our medical system, and this Center is a response," said Carlos Gonzalez, Consul General of Mexico. "When people come here, they are guided to clinics in their community, which will prevent them from going to emergency rooms as a last resource."

Who is it for?
The Center's conception began a couple of years ago after identifying that there was not a similar program available in the community.   Similar programs have independently opened in different Mexican consulates in the United States with similar goals. Available through four computer terminals is access to Project Safety Net, St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities' interactive bilingual web site offering free health access information. Information on other healthcare topics is available in Spanish. Topics are geared toward preventive measures and ways to stay healthy and out of the hospital.

Why do they do it?
The objective is to provide information to potential patients who lack resources but need care. With the Center, the Consulate can steer patients to healthcare facilities that are closer to where they live, are designed to help with charity situations, provide less acute care than one would need in a hospital, or offer care to prevent hospitalization.  The Center is averaging over 1200 calls and visits per month.   Educational conferences on healthcare are being added to the program as well as an information kiosk donated by the Texas Medical Center with information in five different languages related to common illnesses affecting the community.

Summary: Created to help potential patients who lack resources but need  care, the Center's bilingual volunteers connect people with the health care facilities close to where they live, ready to help with charity situations and able to provide preventive care so they can stay healthy and out of the hospital. Additionally, the Center offers educational conferences and the Texas Medical Center provides translated information on common illnesses - available in five languages.

Contacts:
Patricia Dolan
Director, Volunteer Services & Pastoral Care 
Texas Children's Hospital 
Telephone: 832-824-1969
Email: podolan@texaschildrenshospital.org

Pamela A. Lemp, CAVS
Director, Volunteer Services 
St. Luke's Episcopal Health System
Telephone: 832-355-3660
Email: plemp@sleh.com