What Is “We Ask Because We Care”?
We Ask Because We Care helps us better understand the patients we serve. By asking a few additional questions, we can more fully meet the needs of every individual who comes to DRH Health.
At DRH Health, our mission is to provide compassionate, exceptional care while improving the health of our communities. If you are experiencing any barrier to care, we want to help.
Answering these questions is completely optional. We ask because we care about you — and because this information helps us improve the quality of care for all patients. The more we understand our community, the better we can serve it.
Ensure all patients receive the same high‑quality care
Help us better understand the needs and identities of our patients
Ensure every patient is provided with the right resources.
FAQ
Why do we ask about race, ethnicity, and language?
We want to make sure that all of our patients get the best care possible. We use this information:
- To better understand our communities
- To understand the need for interpreter services
- To help appropriately target quality initiatives
- To meet compliance obligations
Who will see the information? How will it be shared?
This information is confidential. We limit access to patient information, including race and ethnicity. We only use the information if it is needed to provide care or other hospital services such as billing. Your information is always protected.
What if there are questions that I do not want to answer?
You do not have to answer them. It will not affect your care. Your provider may also ask these questions privately during your visit. You do not have to share your answers. You can also ask your provider questions.
I have been using my provider for years. Don’t they have this information already?
You are right, we may have this information already. But in some instances, we may not. We want to make sure we have the most accurate information for everyone.
What are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)?
SDOH refers to the social, economic, and physical conditions that can challenge access to care and impact a person’s health outcomes. Examples of SDOH include:
- Food
- Housing
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Literacy
Why do we screen do SDOHs?
SDOH screening helps to identify the experiences in patients’ lives that are negatively affecting their health and well-being. Understanding these SDOH experiences can provide insight and context regarding aspects of their health history, like missing well-visits or poor medication utilization. By collecting data on SDOH, we can identify interventions, resources, or partners that can help patients address their experienced SDOH barriers.
