Interpreting and Translation Services

Culturally and Linguistically-Appropriate Services

We want to ensure that our culturally and linguistically diverse patients/families can communicate effectively with the medical staff and employees.  We are one of the first hospitals in the nation to have instituted a formal Diversity Services Department with services that meet the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Standards (CLAS) of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health.

Your Right to Communication Assistance

All of our patients and families with limited-English proficiency have the right to obtain an interpreter free of charge, and all patients and families with hearing or sight impairments have the right to receive adequate and appropriate assistance in order to communicate with physicians and healthcare providers.

Overcoming Language Barriers

Services Provided by the Diversity Department

• Assistance with cross-cultural communication to ensure the delivery of health care services that are respectful and compatible with patients and families' cultural health beliefs.
• Interpreting Services, or the conversion of a spoken message from one language into another. These services have been provided in over 34 languages through a combination of in-house staff and contracted telephonic and on-site interpreters.
• Sign Language Interpreters or Assistive Listening Devices such as TTY or TTD for hearing impaired patients and families
• Translation, or the conversion of written and critical materials such as informed consents, health education and discharge instructions into the target languages of the patients or families, or into Braille for patients/families with sight impairments.
• More Information on our Diversity Efforts

Request Services

Notify a hospital employee or medical staff that you need language assistance.  The Diversity Department will be contacted to arrange the appropriate services.

Ensuring Adequate Service Delivery 24/7

During especially busy times when the demand for interpreting services exceeds the levels that can be provided through our existing staff, we rely upon outside interpreters provided by contracted vendors selected through a rigorous process.

About our Staff

Our Language and Cultural Specialists either have Bachelors Degrees, Certificates of Completion from a formal Interpreter Training Program, or extensive experience interpreting in health care and clinical settings. All are required to have fluency in English and a second language, and must pass an oral and written test in order to be hired.  In addition, each has received special training to deliver interpreting services in a healthcare environment, as well as training in knowledge and interpretation of medical terminology.