Silvina De La Iglesia and our new Video Remote Interpretation System
Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are located in one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. According to a recent census, there are over 138 languages spoken in Queens.
Servicing a community that is so uniquely diverse is a responsibility that we take pride in. This is why Jamaica and Flushing Hospital makes providing efficient ways to communicate with our patients and their families one of our highest priorities.
Effective language communication is critical in our daily operations as healthcare providers. Proper communication reduces the risk of medical errors and improves the quality of our patients’ experience. There are several systems and resources set up throughout both institutions to ensure that language needs are being met.
We have many language tools that we utilize, including our Point-To chart, our on-site qualified medical interpreters (which can be located in the Language Bank Manual), and the over-the-phone interpreters, the Language Line and Pacific Interpreters.
However, the Language Assistant Program headed by Silvina De La Iglesia has added an innovative tool- the Video Remote Interpretation system (VRI), to service our Deaf or hard or hearing community.
The Video Remote Interpreting system is primarily used for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. The system is mobile and used on iPads. The devices are kept in the emergency room office or in the Language Assistance Program department at Jamaica Hospital. They are on the way shortly to Flushing Hospital. Silvina, an advocate for language service accessibility in healthcare facilities wants to encourage staff to become familiar with the new technology.
Silvina demonstrates the VRI and discusses both hospitals’ sensitivity to cultural diversity and language on Univision News
“The system is very easy to use. It’s like using an app on the iPad. It helps us to remain compliant with regulations that require interpreters be available to patients within 20 minutes of arrival to the hospital and within 10 minutes to the ER,” stated Silvina. The technology uses video conferencing –think Face Time, to connect a qualified ASL interpreter to the patient. The interpreter then conveys the conversation to hospital staff, enabling effective communication.
Welcome Jonathan Sanchez, our new ASL Interpreter/ Coordinator
The Language Assistance Program plans to increase and expand interpreting resources and services provided by Jamaica and Flushing Hospital. The department recently hired a new ASL Interpreter/ Coordinator Jonathan Sanchez to help fulfill departmental goals. “My goal is to solidify and promote Jamaica and Flushing Hospital as institutions where our community takes comfort in knowing that we will be able to help and communicate with them in many languages, spoken or signed.”
Silvina was recently featured in the newspaper El Diario and appeared along with our patient navigators on the evening news for Univision TV. She spoke about the hospitals’ sensitivity to language differences and the progressive steps we are taking to meet the demands of our diverse community.
Silvina ‘s Interview with El Diario can be read here: http://www.eldiariony.com/cuando-de-salud-se-trata-a-cada-quien-su-idioma
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