Deaf and non-English speaking patients at CGH now have access to more communication options

Nov. 28, 2005 – Clear communication between a doctor and patient is critical, especially in emergency situations. But if you’re hearing impaired or don’t speak English, explaining which drugs you’re taking or the symptoms you’re having can seem insurmountable.

Now, Chesapeake General Hospital offers two new communication aides for impaired patients so they have clear and open communication as fast as possible.

With the help of a high-speed, two-way video conferencing service called “Deaf Talk,” patients at CGH who are hearing impaired have access to trained sign language interpreters within minutes. Those who don’t speak English can use “Cyracom,” a specialized telephone service that links patients and their caregiver with interpreters via a toll-free number.

Cyracom is accessible in all patient rooms. Patients and their doctors or nurses use a two-handset telephone so both can converse with foreign language interpreters at the other end.
Deaf-Talk is accessible in 30 locations throughout the hospital, including several in key areas of the Emergency Department. The system is comprised of a camera, microphone, monitor and portable cart that can provide direct access to an interpreter certified in American Sign Language or trained to interpret some 22 foreign languages. All interpreters are also knowledgeable in medical terminology.

When an interpreter is needed, the camera is focused on the patient. A phone call is then placed to the service, where an interpreter comes on line who can view the patient signing or speaking a foreign language. The patient can also view or hear the interpreter. A healthcare practitioner is there to secure the correct medical history, answer questions and relay instructions between the two.

Both services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Interpreters of about 13 less common foreign languages – such as Bosnian, Somali, Vietnamese and Punjabi – are available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. only, however.

Without the two services, hospitals must typically rely on on-call interpreters, who sometimes can take hours to arrive.