New service delivers ASL to deaf patients

new videoconferencing service at the Medical Center is making it easier for physicians to communicate quickly and effectively with deaf patients. Called Strong Connections, the service provides hospitals and medical offices throughout North America with medically experienced American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.

"ASL is an entirely different language than English, with its own grammar and syntax rules," says Kathy Miraglia, manager of interpreter services at Strong Memorial Hospital and director of operations at Strong Connections. "For a deaf patient who is having chest pains, for instance, it is not good enough for the doctor to have him write down his symptoms in English."

Thanks to Strong Connections, hospitals and medical offices without interpreter services now have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Using two-way audio and visual communications, the interpreter observes the patient's sign language and translates into spoken English for the healthcare provider, avoiding incomplete or erroneous information," says Robert Pollard, director of the Deaf Wellness Center at the Medical Center. "Likewise, the provider speaks to the patient, who watches the signed translation on the monitor. The healthcare experience of our interpreters is a key element of Strong Connections' approach."

For more information, visit www.urmc.rochester.edu/strongconnections.

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