Video Interpretation Project

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

San Bernardino County, Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and its contractors provide language services for residents throughout San Bernardino County. The demand for interpreter service requests for Limited English Proficient (LEP) and deaf/hard of hearing consumers are ever-increasing. Utilizing a Video Interpretation Service allows the County to provide a high quality, culturally competent, secure and cost effective alternative in providing interpreter services; while supporting the Countywide Vision to improve the health of all County residents and the well-being of the community. DBH partnered with Health Care Interpreter Network (HCIN) to pilot the use of a video interpretation system to provide interpreter accessibility promptly, on demand, and in real time. Given the County’s threshold language of Spanish, the feature of having 24/7 Spanish, Portuguese and American Sign Language (ASL) by video is tremendously valuable. Staff have access to interpreters via phone (voice only) and video (image and voice). The benefits of the video interpretation services include reduced cost, added convenience, reliability, increased productivity, and increased quality of care. Consumer and staff feedback have been positive. Overall, the video interpretation system has been found to be a very useful tool for our staff who do not speak a language other than English. The video interpretation system has been extremely helpful when the need occurs for an immediate translator for a broad spectrum of languages including ASL (American Sign Language). Using the video interpretation system may not replace live interpreters; however it adds the convenience of immediate assistance to our consumers with highly professional and accurate translation, while eliminating the need to reschedule appointments for a later date, or waiting for an interpreter to arrive. As the pilot continues, clinics and consumers have reported being very comfortable with the video interpretation system.