Working with a Video Interpreter

When is an interpreter needed?
• Triage and assessment
• Informed consent
• Procedures
• Teaching and Education
• Discharge
• Anytime communication is needed for customer care and satisfaction

Do’s
• Provide all requested information to the interpreter
• Speak directly to the patient; don’t say “tell her…”
• Ask the patient to repeat back information and instructions to ensure they understand
• Speak in laymen’s terms.  Avoid slang and speak in a straightforward sentence structure with complete sentences and ideas
• Disconnect the unit when you leave the room.  This gives the patient more privacy and preserves the interpreter’s ethics.
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Don’ts
• Never use minor children
• Note writing is not the preferred form of communication for deaf or hard of hearing people.  Please request an ASL interpreter
• Use of family members and friends is highly discouraged as they often do not know medical terminology.  They may also edit the information leading to an inaccurate and incomplete interpretation. 
• Don’t say anything you do not want interpreted as the interpreters job is to interpret everything
• Don’t force a patient to use video or audio when it is inappropriate
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