Banner Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, recently partnered with InDemand Interpreting, a provider of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) within healthcare, to remove language barriers throughout its health care system.
Banner Health has interpreters available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 spoken languages in addition to American Sign Language (ASL). The VRI system is used throughout Banner Health and offers interpretive services on computers mounted on portable carts that can be wheeled into a patient’s room. VRI enables the hospital staff to use interpreters via a live, web-based video conference with medically trained and certified interpreters.
According to Risk Management Consultant Elizabeth Swan for Banner Health, the number of interpreter encounters at Banner has dramatically increased with the use of qualified interpreters using VRI. This change has led to a reduced risk of miscommunication with patients and family, compliance with federal and The Joint Commission requirements and an overall decrease in expenses.
“Since we partnered with InDemand Interpreting and added the VRI service, we have seen an increase in the number of times an interpreter is used, which reduces overall risk and improves patient satisfaction,” said Swan. “VRI provides many benefits and is economical. At the click of an icon, clinicians have access to an interpreter within seconds.”
The evolving field of video remote interpreting is supporting hospitals nationwide to ensure that medical conversations are more effective and patients receive the highest quality care regardless of language barriers, cultural backgrounds or disabilities.
“The VRI is a great resource when a bedside interpreter is not available,” said Dina Miranda, Language and Cultural Services Manager at Banner Estrella Medical Center. “By having VRI’s in addition to bedside interpretation we are finding that our patients and providers are happier, we see fewer mistakes and the health care system achieves better outcomes. It is truly a benefit to both our patients and staff.”
