DRO Advocate Educates Oregon Hospitals on Value of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Services

Providence Medford Medical Center has already:

• Increased the number of sign language interpreters from two to four
• Provided updated listings of the interpreters to its clinics & all hospital departments

Providence is currently coordinating with its Oregon region facilities to explore VRI options, assessing internet accessibility and required equipment.

Staff from Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls were familiar with VRI, but did not know how to go about setting up VRI services.  Rosemary put them in touch with Providence Medford Medical Center so that the two hospitals could share information about providing VRI services.

Most recently, Rosemary gave a presentation on VRI to a committee of the Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living (CORIL).  The Vice President of the Mountain View Hospital Auxiliary in Madras (a group that raises funds to buy equipment for Mountain View Hospital and awards scholarships for medical education) shared that the Auxiliary has the funds to pay for a VRI cart for Mountain View Hospital.  And, the Warm Springs Vocational Rehab Program Director asked Rosemary to meet with the Elders who have deaf members in their families later this summer.

Information on Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Services

What does a sign language interpreter do?

Sign language/spoken English interpreters listen to another person's words, inflections and intent and simultaneously translate them into the visual language of signs.  Interpreters must also be able to comprehend the signs, inflections and intent of the deaf consumer and simultaneously speak them in English.  ORS 185.220 through 230.

What is the difference between video remote interpreting (VRI) and video relay service (VRS)?

Both VRI and VRS use interpreters and videophones or web cameras.  However, there are important differences between the two services. 

• On a VRI call, both the deaf (or hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired) person and hearing person are located in the same room and the sign language interpreter is located offsite. 
  
• With VRS, the deaf person and the hearing person are in different locations and are connected through the interpreter at a VRS call center.

VRI allows users who are in the same room together to communicate.

How does a VRI call work?

The deaf person and the hearing person are together in the same room with a videophone or web camera, and a television or computer screen. 

The video interpreter works from another location and also uses a videophone or web camera and television or computer screen to facilitate communication between the deaf person and the hearing person. 

The interpreter:

• Hears the voice of the hearing person through the microphone or telephone
  
• Translates the message into sign language into the camera, which the deaf person views on their screen
  

Then, when the deaf person signs to the camera, the interpreter:

• Views it from their screen
• Speaks the aural interpretation into a microphone or telephone for the hearing person

What are the benefits of using VRI services in the ER?

VRI is being used increasingly in ERs, where it is essential that deaf patients and caregivers be able to communicate quickly with medical providers, and there is no time to wait for a live interpreter to arrive onsite.  

Hospitals with VRI capability can connect with a remote interpreter quickly and conduct triage and intake surveys with the deaf patient or caregiver.

Where else can VRI services be used?

Employees in office settings can use VRI services for brief interactions as well as regular meetings which would be difficult to schedule with an onsite interpreter.  Schools and businesses located in areas with limited numbers of interpreters can also benefit from increased access to professional interpreters through VRI while also saving on travel expense reimbursements.