Comprehensive Healthcare Services Offered by Inova

Inova Health System and VRI (Video Relay Interpreting) May 2012 &

Presented by: Jaclyn Evans Sign Language Services Manager, Inova Health Systems jaclyn.evans@inova.org 2

Inova Health System includes: Hospitals Emergency Care Centers Urgent Care Centers Primary Care Centers Adult and Pediatric Specialties

Stand-alone Inova Emergency Care Centers Hospital-based Emergency Rooms Inova Alexandria Hospital Emergency Room Inova Fairfax Hospital Emergency Room/Inova Regional Trauma Center Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Emergency Room/Inova Regional Trauma Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Emergency Room Inova Loudoun Hospital Adult and Pediatric Emergency Room Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Emergency Room Inova Emergency Care Center Fairfax Inova Emergency Care Center Leesburg Inova Emergency Care Center Reston/Herndon Inova HealthPlex Emergency Care Center

Inova Urgent Care CenterCentreville Inova Urgent Care Center Dulles South Inova Urgent Care Center Purcellville Inova Urgent Care Center Vienna

Inova Primary Care Practice Locations & Inova Family Medicine Ashburn Chantilly Gainesville Lake Ridge Springfield Inova Internal Medicine Falls Church Mark Center Mclean Old Town Reston Centerville

Pediatric Specialties Adult Specialties Pediatric endocrinology Pediatric gastroenterology Pediatric genetics Pediatric cancer Pediatric nephrology Pediatric neurosurgery Pediatric rheumatology Pediatric intensivist Pediatric hospitalist Pediatric psychiatry Breast Surgery Endocrinology Hospitalists Intensivists Neurology Neurosurgery Obstetrics Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Trauma Pathology Psychiatry Surgery Transplant Trauma

Inova Interpreter Services: Inova firmly supports patient centered care. We demonstrate this in our interpreter services by asking each and every patient and their companion if they communicate in English or/if they use another language to communicate. If they desire a Sign Language Interpreter we let the individual make the decision if they want to use an in person interpreter, or VRI.

Emergent Situations: In the event that a patient is comes into one of our Hospitals under emergent circumstances we offer our VRI as an option until the in-person interpreter arrives. In this aspect VRI services are very prompt and effective. VRI is not suitable for certain circumstances.

Inovas Innovation: Inova currently has a staff of 22 PRN American Sign Language Interpreters, and one full time ASL Interpreter. Inova has a Sign Language Scheduler on duty 24/7 (for staff at any of our locations to request an interpreter). We are currently exploring using VRI in house (we are testing this with spoken languages as well as American Sign Language).

VRI Obstacles: We have similar concerns as most with VRI, such as: unusable for those with visual impairments or any number of complex situations (immobilized, fatigued, distressed, etc.), two dimensional, connectivity or internet concern (natural occurrences or disasters can cause problems).

Suggestions for VRI Medical Interpreters & Extensive In-person medical interpreting background Continual education in the most current medical terminology, and current practices and procedures Self awareness - VRI in a Emergency Department has the possibility of being very intense (imagine being a 911 operator with a view into the callers entire world) Medical interpreting is not for everyone. Being in a VRI environment where you may get cut off due to any number of reasons (IT problems, In person interpreter arrives, patient is rushed to any number of life saving measures) can be very stressful, so being emotionally prepared for these complex situations is key.

Closing: Our Mission is To improve the health of the diverse community we serve through excellence in patient care, education and research. Feel free to visit www.inova.org for more information.