MU Health Care Interpreter Usage
When we use interpreters
Qualified MUHC interpreters should always be used with Limited English Proficient/Deaf patients for the following:
- Medical history or description of problem/injury
- Patient rights, informed consent, provision for treatment
- Explanation of diagnosis or prognosis
- Explanation of procedures, tests, treatments, options, medications
- Follow-up treatment and discharge instructions
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
- Blood transfusion
- Sight translation of vital written documents if we do not have them prepared in the patient's language
- Patient education
- End of life issues; limitations of care
- Billing and insurance issues
- Anytime the patient specifically asks for an interpreter
- Anytime medical personnel or other personnel with direct patient contact feels that important information needs to be communicated to the patient
MUHC policy prohibits the use of minors as interpreters and discourages use of friends/family due to following factors:
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Lack of true bilingualism
- Reluctance to interpret everything being said
- Tendency to filter information and only interpret what they (family/friend) believe is important
Additional interpreter use tip sheets available
Download and print an additional tip sheets:
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