HospitalInspections.org

Based on interviews, medical record reviews and documents reviews, it was determined that the hospital did not effectively inform persons with hearing impairment their rights to interpreter services. This finding was noted in one (1) of one (1) applicable record.

Findings:
Review of medical record for Pt. #1, noted that a 75-year- old hearing-impaired patient, presented to the hospital Emergency Department (ED) on 1/27/2020 at 2:55 AM. There is no evidence in the medical record that clinical staff in the ED used an interpreter when acquiring information at triage, during history and physical examination and when providing discharge instructions. The patient presented to the ED during the timeframe when there are no American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter present in the hospital. The hospital did not implement its procedures for provision of interpreters when qualified interpreters are not present in the facility.

The policy titled "Communications: Obtaining Interpreters/Visual-Hearing Impaired" which was last revised 03/2020 states, "When a deaf/hearing impaired patient and /or responsible person in Acute/ambulatory Care who communicates in sign language requires an interpreter, staff will arrange for an American Sign Language interpreter to come to the Medical Center as soon as possible to assist the patient/responsible person. The sign language interpreter may stay with the person as long as it's necessary and will be requested as needed" If the interpreter is physically at another location, locate an iPad on wheels or contact the language Assistance program for further help in obtaining ASL interpreters.



Interview with Staff I (Director of Patient Relations) conducted on 12/4/2020 at 2:10 PM, Staff I stated that during the time (1/27/2020) of Pt. #1's visit to the hospital they had two (2) ASL interpreters that worked week days during the day, however during off hours iPad video interpreters via VOYCE is used for hearing impaired interpretations.


On 12/8/2020 at 10:31 AM, an interview with Staff J, (Patient Advocate) was conducted
Staff J stated that she was called as an ASL interpreter to interpret for PT #1 on 1/27/20 but did not interpret for him on this visit. She stated that her work hours are from 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM weekdays.