Page 29 - Employee Information Guide-V1 2016

Interpreter Services

Department Overview

Having an Interpreter ensures that all patients receive high quality
care, regardless of the language they speak or sign. This benefits
Mount Sinai Hospital through patient safety, risk management,
health equity, and cost control. Last year, we provided 4,006
interpretations in 56 languages.

What you should know:
 The importance of including an interpreter in patient care discussions
 How to find an interpreter
 Which mode of interpretation is most appropriate: face-to-face vs. telephone
 How to get the most out of your interpreting session

Contact Info:
To reach an over-the-phone interpreter:
To book an Interpreter: Ext 8200
416 504 4578
Email: Interpreter.msh@sinaihealthsystem.ca Ensure you have your interpreter Client ID

Phone vs. Face to Face Things to note
 Fees paid by Volunteer Services
Over the Phone  Ensure you have your interpreter Client ID

 $1.35 / minute – no minimum time (available on the intranet)
 After hours / evenings / weekends
 Short encounters < 35 minutes  Always have a sign language interpreter for
 Urgent / last minute requests your patient if needed
 Rare languages  Document interpreters name and ID in
 Home visits patient record
 Appointment confirmations  Brief the interpreter on the context – it
Face-to-Face allows the interpreter to visualize the call /
 $ 45 to $ 50 / hour situation
 Minimum 1.5 to 2 hours  If you have issues with the call (connection
 Daytime time, quality, issues with interpreter) let us
 Longer encounters > 35 minutes know as soon as possible
 Pre-booked appointments  Respect waiting times; allocate enough time
 Patients who are hard of hearing / – may need longer
dementia  Maximize use - share time with co-workers
 Family meetings / multiple parties  Speak directly to the patient, not the
 Teaching with visual materials interpreter
st
 Difficult diagnosis / decision making  Use 1 person: how are YOU (not she/he)
 Some psychiatric illness feeling It is up to you to ensure the patient
understands; this is not the responsibility of
the interpreter
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