Mammoth Hospital Receives Grant from California Health Foundation and Trust

Mammoth Hospital has received an $11,000 grant from the California Health Foundation and Trust to purchase and implement the Ask Me 3® program.  This educational program, endorsed by the National Patient Safety Foundation, is designed to improve communication between patients and health care providers so patients get the information they need to be able to take better care of themselves.

Ask Me 3® is designed to meet the challenge of health literacy.  Currently in our country 9 out of 10 adults do not fully understand their exchanges with health care providers.  Everyone is susceptible regardless of age, race, education, or income.  This is understandable as going to the doctor can be challenging and intimidating.  Medical visits often entail confusing terminology and lots of information to process – all while feeling sick or injured.   Additionally, patients are frequently afraid to speak up and ask questions. 

This situation can lead to failure for both patients and healthcare providers.  Poor understanding of health information often leads to poor health outcomes resulting in higher rates of hospitalization, more emergency department visits, more readmissions to the hospital, and higher medical costs.

To assist with this, Ask Me 3® pamphlets encourage patients to get the information they need by asking three questions:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Mammoth Hospital and clinics will have Ask Me 3® pamphlets available in English and Spanish throughout the facility.  These pamphlets guide patients to ask these 3 important questions every time they have a healthcare encounter.  Posters encouraging patients to ask the key questions before they leave will be widely displayed.  Additionally, patients admitted to the hospital will have notepads at the bedside with space to write down the answers to questions.  Classes will be presented for hospital and clinic staff about health literacy that will teach methods to help patients understand better.

Mammoth Hospital is excited to have received a generous grant to implement this program.   Staff is energized to help patients be better informed about their healthcare and have the knowledge to take better care of themselves.