Hospitals Use Video to Break Language Barrier

Local doctors and nurses are using video chat to talk to a growing number of patients who don't speak English. Genesis Health System began using Video Remote Interpreters a couple of months ago.
 
Spokesman Craig Cooper says Genesis will continue to hire local professionals to interpret in person. But overnight and on weekends, video interpreting can be available in less than a minute, using an i-pad and the internet.
Besides the 27 languages available with both video and sound, Cooper says the remote video system also includes access to 200 languages with audio only.
 
Unity Point Health Trinity hospitals have been using video interpretation in their emergency rooms for three years. The health system employs local interpreters for "in person" services.