Video Remote Interpreting Removes Language Barriers at Catholic Health

SEATTLE, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- InDemand Interpreting, a leading provider of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) within healthcare, is pleased to announce that Catholic Health has taken an important step in removing language barriers in its hospitals with the addition of video remote interpreting (VRI) services at Sisters of Charity Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters' St. Joseph Campus.

"America's ever-growing cultural melting pot makes it difficult for hospitals to communicate with each patient in their native language," said Kathy Kanaley, the patient care representative at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. "The evolving field of virtual interpreters is supporting hospitals to ensure that  medical conversations are easier and patients receive the highest quality care regardless of language barriers, cultural backgrounds or disabilities."

InDemand Interpreting, the system used throughout Catholic Health, offers VRI services on PC or iPad devices available on portable carts that can be wheeled into the patient's room. VRI allows hospital staff to use interpreters via a live, web-based video conference with medically trained and certified interpreters. The system provides the hospital with access to interpreters, 24 hours a day, in more than 200 languages, including American Sign Language.

VRI carts are available in a number of areas at all Catholic Health hospitals. At the click of an icon, a healthcare provider is connected to a medically-trained interpreter. The interpreter appears on the monitor - similar to Skype - and begins interpretation between the provider and the patient. Previously, the hospitals used phone interpreting services and on-call Spanish interpreters, which often required long wait times and ultimately slowed down patient care.

"To ensure the best possible patient care, a medically trained interpreter is the best way to communicate healthcare information properly," said Kanaley. "If there is not effective communication between the patient and the provider, it can delay care, which can be critical during an emergency. With video remote interpreting, we can offer our patients prompt, professional interpreting services any time of day."

Hospitals that use VRI systems note improvements in patients' satisfaction when they are able to communicate with a live person who can speak their native language. According to Kanaley, the video interpreting system enhances patient care and response time.

About InDemand Interpreting
InDemand Interpreting was founded in 2007 with the vision of ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality healthcare, regardless of language, cultural background or disability. By delivering the most experienced medical interpreters and highest quality video technology InDemand Interpreting provides doctors, nurses and clinicians the language access they need to provide the best possible care. Visit InDemand at http://www.indemandinterpreting.com.

About Catholic Health
Formed in 1998 under four religious sponsors, Catholic Health in Buffalo, NY is a non-profit healthcare system that provides care to Western New Yorkers across a network of hospitals, primary care centers, imaging centers, and several other community ministries. In recognition of its superior service, Catholic Health has been named as among the top 100 integrated healthcare systems by SDI. Visit Catholic Health at: http://www.chsbuffalo.org/.

SOURCE InDemand Interpreting

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