US medical facilities face a growing need to translate written material. How can they keep their translation priorities straight?

In establishments that practice translation, the need to translate documents is increasing as the sheer amount of written content created goes up.

In addition, hospitals and other medical facilities are becoming increasingly aware of the need to translate in order to better serve their patients, reduce risks and to meet legislation requirements.

But where to begin?

The International Medical Interpreters Association’s Guide on Medical Translation suggests that the priorities are, first, making sure the establishment complies with Title VI, or the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Over the past years, the Department of Justice has specified exactly how the Act is to be applied to health services; this is a complex criterion in and of itself.

Signage is also not to be neglected. Medical facilities need to post signs in several languages to inform patients of their right to an interpreter and to receive information in their language, and translating other signs can be extremely useful.

Finally, each medical establishment needs to be sure to have translated versions of “vital” documents – and there are a number of them. Some examples are admission forms; safety guidelines, and release instructions.

At Language Translation, Inc., medical translation is one of our specialties. We provide professional  translation of all of the above documents – and more.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
  A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.