Health Equity, “We Ask Because We Care”

What Is "We Ask Because We Care"?

The "We Ask Because We Care" campaign at Redlands Community Hospital (RCH) helps us understand our patients’ needs better. By asking these questions, we can better meet the needs of everyone who comes to us for help.

Why do we ask these questions?

We want every patient to get the best care possible and to support our community. These questions help us:

Know our patients and our community better
Provide support programs, as well as community resources for housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, and more
Meet compliance standards

Who will ask these questions?

Staff at RCH, including those in Patient Access, will provide patients with the “We Ask Because We Care Questionnaire,” which can be answered privately. A nurse or doctor may also ask these questions.

What information will they ask ?

Do you have a regular nighttime residence?
Do you worry about having a steady place to live?
In the 12 months, have you or anyone in your house gone without food to eat?
Has lack of reliable transportation kept you from medical appointments or from doing things you need for daily living?
In the past 12 months, have you had to go without electricity, gas, water, or trash service in your home?
Has anyone in your support network made you feel unsafe?

Who will see the information? How will it be shared?

This information is confidential. Only those who have a need to view as part of providing care, hospital services, and community resources will see it, and it is always protected.

What if there are questions that one does not want to share?

None of these questions need to be answered, if one doesn’t want to. It won’t affect our patients’ care. Doctors may also ask these, or similar questions privately during a visit.

What if I am more comfortable providing this information without speaking to someone?

Remember, no one is alone. There are people and groups in our community that partner with RCH and are ready to help during these tough times.