Interpretation Services
MVHS offers free interpretation services around the clock for patients who are unable to speak, write and/ or understand the English language at a level sufficient enough to permit effective communication with health care professionals at our various locations.
This service may be requested through your nurse or other MVHS employees.
The Language Assistance Program enhances the quality of health care services provided to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and to patients with vision, hearing, and speech impairment. A qualified-skilled medical interpreter who is fluent in the patient’s primary conversant language is available in person or by telephonic services to assist with a variety of language needs. All interpreters follow a strict code of ethics and maintain confidentiality at all times.
All services are free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all LEP patients for both scheduled and unscheduled appointments. We utilize hospital-based medical interpreters’ and established language interpretation agencies available in the area to provide service in a timely and professional manner.
Our program provides interpretation services for over 96 languages including Arabic, Burmese, Karen and Nepali within our community.
As technology becomes an integral part of the health care system, the Language Assistance Program strives to implement the latest in technological advancements to continue to effectively and efficiently serve the growing demands of the industry. Furthermore, a Medical Interpreter Service Report form was developed for tracking all interpretation services provided to LEP patients. In addition, the hospital’s information system now offers a scheduling program to identify when an LEP patient needs a medical interpreter, along with language codes indicating the patient’s primary conversant language.
Along with providing medical interpretation services, the Language Assistance Program also provides translation services. The Language Assistance Program has translated key patient documents into a variety of languages including: Bosnian, Burmese, Maay Maay, Somali, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.
Securing Interpretation Services
Non-emergency interpreter requests may be faxed to the Language Assistance Program at 315-624-4644. Non-emergency requests may also be emailed to yvargas@mvhealthsystem.org (SEMC) or skovacs@mvhealthsystem.org (FSLH).
Department Hours and Information
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Interpreter requests by phone:
315-624-5798 (SEMC)
315-624-5742 (FSLH)
Issues and concerns:
315-624-5242
After hours, holidays and weekends:
315-794-1578
