Ascension Wisconsin’s commitment to being a leader in the advancement of health equity is an expression of its mission to improve the health of the community, particularly where those have long been underserved. Identifying social determinants of health is one important way to reduce preventable disparities in health outcomes. Advancing health equity begins by listening and understanding the needs of the patients and why Ascension developed a screening tool for its patients which identified transportation as a key barrier for them to access the care they need.
 
To help make sure patients could get to their appointments, Ascension Wisconsin began providing transportation services, at no cost. Designed for patients unable to obtain transportation resources, Ascension Wisconsin provided more than 10,000 rides through a ride sharing service, taking patients to and from their appointments in 2022.
 
After a patient is evaluated for their transportation needs, they’re able to connect with one of Ascension Wisconsin’s 250 staff dispatchers to secure a ride.
 
“One of the biggest barriers for our pregnant patients is transportation, and offering rides at no cost helps us overcome that barrier,” said Nubia Rojas, a social worker at Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus. “We are very grateful to be able to provide this service and we’ve seen a sharp decrease in the number of no-show appointments as a result.”
 
For older patients, or patients who may require additional assistance and door-to-door care, Ascension Wisconsin utilizes Carepool, a rideshare program that specializes in transportation for aging adults and people with disabilities. In 2022 Carepool provided nearly 2,000 rides for Ascension Wisconsin patients.
 
Adequate and reliable transportation services are fundamental to healthy communities. By connecting patients to transportation, Ascension Wisconsin helps ensure patients can access preventive care and treat chronic conditions before they worsen.
 
“Patients tell us that without this service they would miss appointments and not be able to get to where they need to be,” Rojas said. “Providing ride sharing transportation is our safety net and helps patients get to their appointments or get home safely after a visit to the emergency room.”