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    Feb 23
    Blog: LanguageLine

    Multiple languages are spoken by patients and their families here at Saratoga Hospital. Everyone deserves to know and understand their diagnosis and proposed treatment. To make sure our Limited-English-proficient (LEP) and non-English-speaking patients and their families can understand and be understood, our hospital provides interpreter services, (24/7 for inpatients), free of charge. These services are available for both inpatients and outpatients. language line

    LanguageLine interpreter services are available in the top 41 most requested languages, including both American and British Sign Languages. Patients will be shown a chart with multiple languages to choose from, including, among others: 

    • Albanian 
    • French, 
    • German,
    • Haitian Creole,
    • Hindi, 
    • Italian,
    • Japanese,
    • Mandarin, 
    • Polish,
    • Russian, 
    • Spanish,
    • Swahili,
    • Thai, 
    • Yiddish, 
    • And more.


    Once the patient points to their language, hospital staff will contact a service called LanguageLine to arrange for an interpreter in that language. Usually an interpreter is available within 20 minutes.

    When the interpreter is available, staff will bring a tablet to the patient and set up a video chat between the patient and interpreter. This visual access has proven very beneficial to patients, as it allows for non-verbal communication through facial cues and sign language. 

    LanguageLine is the primary interpretive service used for LEP patients. Although patients may want to use their family members, for patient protection, the hospital must use LanguageLine professionals. Complex and confidential medical information requires a high level of accuracy and the trained ability to communicate it in lay terms, so a patient can ask questions, understand the tests, diagnosis, and treatment options, and give informed consent.

    Interpreter services are one of many ways Saratoga Hospital ensures the highest quality and compassionate care from our healthcare professionals. Learn more at SaratogaHospital.org.