Language barriers in healthcare sector are becoming a cause for concern. Such barriers make patient visits to the emergency room problematic with the potential for even fatal consequences.
To eliminate the language barriers, Video Remote Interpreting(VRI) company Stratus Video Interpreting is offering its latest system that connects healthcare facilities with a cloud-based network of certified spoken language interpreters, with the facility to translate over 175 different spoken and sign languages.
According to Stratus CEO Sean Belanger, language barriers in healthcare should be addressed on a national scale—widespread standardization would not only increase awareness of the language support services offered in healthcare, but also limit the chances of malpractice suits by ensuring proper and effective communication, per Belanger.
The company’s cloud-based video solution delivers an array of unique features to virtually any Internet-enabled PC, Mac, Smart Phone or Tablet. The company’s Video Interpreting is based on the concept originally applied at ZVRS, the video relay interpretation service for the deaf and hard of hearing.
“Language barriers should never hinder doctor-patient interaction—successful communication in every language is possible with the right technology and capable interpreters,” said Belanger. “The limited resources in most hospitals are recognizable and that’s why it’s even more urgent to make the available interpreting services widely-known – the technology is there to make patients safer and reduce medical errors, while also protecting the financial liabilities of healthcare facilities.”
Stratus’ interpreting service works through a virtual private network (VPN), where an encrypted call is placed to one of Stratus’ 33 video call centers across the U.S., and the next available interpreter in that language is found and connected.
The company has recruited knowledgeable, highly-qualified interpreters who can either be used to supplement an existing interpreting infrastructure or to replace live and over-the-phone interpreters altogether.