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The
new law "Emergency Room Interpreter Bill" requires
that all hospitals, public or private, which provide acute
care, either in emergency rooms or in acute psychiatric services,
when treating non-English speakers , must use competent interpreter services. Hospital managers are required to use reasonable
judgement in setting up their interpreter systems, based on
the volume and diversity of the language groups they serve.
The departments of Public Health and Mental Health in licensing
or re-licensing these hospitals, are to consider how well
they carry out these mandates.
There
are also provisions requiring that all state payers for medical
care (i.e. Medicaid) must reimburse hospitals for their reasonable
interpreter costs.
Any
person who is denied appropriate health care because a hospital
failed to use reasonable judgement in setting up its Interpreter
system may sue for a court order and/or damages and a reasonable
attorney's fee; and the Attorney General is given power to
bring action against a hospital when informed by DPH or DMH
that the hospital "substantially failing to comply with
applicable interpreter requirements".
Our
medical interpreters work in a variety of settings: clinics,
hospitals, emergency rooms, dialysis centers, diagnostic imaging
services, blood banks, mental health clinics and workman's
compensation exams.
MIR
ASSOCIATES INC. Mission Statement:
- We strive to increase understanding of diverse cultural
/ linguistic minority groups.
- Enhance
practical skills of the novice medical interpreters.
- Broaden
the skills of seasoned medical interpreters.
- Assist
health care administrators in the effective provision
of interpreter services.
- Promote
awareness among health care providers and the communities
on the value of interpreter services.
- Foster
the highest level of ethical and professional standards
of medical interpreting and translation in the United
States.
- Advocate
on behalf of and promote the interest of interpreting
and translation profession across the U.S.
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Tips
for medical providers on how to work with medical interpreters:
The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care will soon
publish a code of ethics to guide professional medical interpreters.
We are currently following these guidelines for our medical
interpretations:
- The medical interpreter always keeps patient information
confidential.
- The
medical interpreter always arrives on time and dresses in
a professional manner.
- The
medical interpreter has a broad knowledge of medical terminology
in both the target and source languages.
- The
medical interpreter must have an ability to easily interpret
what is being said in a clear and understandable fashion,
speaking slowly and enunciating clearly.
- The
medical interpreter always conducts himself/herself in a
professional manner.
- The
medical interpreter always respect cultural diversity.
- The
medical interpreter must acknowledge language limitations
when they arise and always ask for clarifications.
- The
medical interpreter always demonstrates respect towards
all persons involved in the interpreting situation.
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