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BWH 617-732-6639
The Office of Interpreter Services at BWH is a 24 hour service that
consists of professional interpreters trained in hospital policy and
procedures as well as in medical terminology. The role of the interpreter
not only consists of transmitting information accurately between patient
and provider, but also keeping the patient calm and well informed
at all times to insure that the language and culture barriers do not
affect the quality of care as well as the satisfaction and success
of the clinical encounter.
For reasons of confidentiality and accuracy, it is not appropriate
to use family members or friends of the patient as interpreters when
transmitting valuable medical information.
Staff/Schedule
The interpreter staff consists of a full time manager and 7.5 full
time interpreters. There is always an interpreter on call for the
hours not listed below who can assist you in person. For immediate
interpreter assistance after hours, page the interpreter on call,
beeper 11800.
Inpatients
We strongly advise that Interpreter Services be notified as soon as
possible, preferably upon admission of a non-English speaking patient.
In the event of an invasive procedure or any treatment requiring consent,
a staff interpreter must be called to assure that the information
provided by the provider and providing informed consent be transmitted
in a manner understandable to the patient.
Outpatients
For ambulatory services, appointments with an interpreter should be
made in advance. Providers who would like to schedule an appointment
with an interpreter should call the Office of Interpreter Services
at 617-732-6639. The demand for interpreters is extensive and priority
is given to scheduled appointments, inpatients and Emergency Department.
On call Service
The on call Spanish Interpreter is responsible for responding to emergency
requests for Spanish and to arrange services for other language interpreters
for similar emergency situations. The Spanish Interpreter on call
will come to the hospital in the following situations: medical emergencies
for inpatients; patient related crises; emergency surgical and anesthesia
consents; and/or emergency procedures.
Spanish
Spanish interpreters are available in-house as follows:
In-patients: 7:30 am - 8 pm Out-patients: 8:30 am - 5 pm
BIMA: 8:30 am - 5 pm ED: 9:30 am - 1:30 am*
*The ED is covered from 7:30 am - 9:30 am by the in-patient interpreter.
- in-house weekends and holidays:
Saturdays: 12 - 8 pm; Sundays: 8:30 am - 5 pm; Holidays: 7:30 am
- 5 pm.
Russian
A Russian interpreter is available in-house Monday - Friday, 9 am
- 3 pm. For immediate interpreter assistance for the hours not listed,
call the Office of Interpreter Services, 732-6639 or page the interpreter
on call, beeper 11800 to arrange services.
ASL and Other Languages
Providers who would like to schedule an appointment with an interpreter
for ASL (American Sign Language) and other languages should call the
Office of Interpreter Services at 732-6639.
MGH
Location: Clinics 141
Telephone: 617-726-6966
Fax : 617-726-3253
Main beeper number: 27403
Office hours: Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.(midnight)
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Medical interpreters are available to facilitate communication between
you and your non-English or limited-English speaking patients. The
service is available with various languages on staff and a group of
freelancers. Advance notice is required in all instances, except in
emergency situations.
For more information and off-hours protocol click on: www.massgeneral.org/interpreters
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