New Technology for Hearing-Impaired Patients

New Technology for Hearing-Impaired Patients

HCHD Foundation is excited about the remote video interpretation services that are now available to Harris Health’s hearing-impaired patients at Ben Taub and LBJ Hospital campuses. Thanks to the use of new technology, patients are getting quality face time with a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter – in minutes rather than hours.Known as Language You Can See, or LUC, for short, these simple rolling iPad units allow on-the-spot ASL interpretations without the need for prescheduled appointments or waiting up to two hours for a live interpreter.

The process to connect to the service is simple, fast and effective. LUC consists of an iPad on a rolling stand which is preset to connect to our vendor via WiFi. The vendor then connects us via video conference with a certified ASL sign language interpreter – very much like a Skype or FaceTime experience.

During a pilot program conducted from October to December, almost three dozen patient encounters were completed totaling over one thousand interpretation minutes. In three short months, use of the units demonstrated a 37% cost savings over the use of live interpreters. Plus our patients, their families and staff loved it!

This cost-saving and patient-positive improvement is the result of a multidisciplinary approach to providing more patient-centered care and involved team members from Patient Experience, Patient Customer Relations, Information Technology, Nursing, Interpretation Services and the medical staff.

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