Did you know that Prowers Medical Center provides complimentary language access services to all patients and family members whose first language isn’t English or who are deaf?

Through the Language Access Services Program, video-remote, phone and inperson interpreting are available around the clock in dozens of languages. This is essential in medical care because language means understanding. The ability for patients and families to fully understand their providers and vice versa can profoundly affect wellness and quality of life.

“Language access services are really important,” said Elia Trujillo, Language Coordinator for Prowers Medical Center. She and the Interpreters Committee have been providing interpretation and translating services for more than 18 years. Together they are responsible for making sure that all patients and families receive the language services they need.

At Prowers Medical Center, a team of bilingual staff members often help communicate with patients and their families in direct services. But specialized medical interpreters are also available to accompany Spanish-speaking patients and families throughout their visit, from the time they arrive at the clinic until they depart. For hospitalized patients, interpretation services are provided as needed during their stay.

Medical interpreters typically also follow up with patients after they’ve returned home to ensure they have a good understanding of treatment plans and next steps. Medical interpreters receive supplemental training and pass a rigorous certification test with both written and oral components. The test not only measures language fluency but also medical knowledge, ethics, regulatory issues and cultural awareness.

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“Interpreters help to facilitate communication among providers, patients and their families,” Trujillo said. “In addition to translating medical facts, there are a lot of cultural beliefs, practices and home remedies that patients bring with them to their visit.”

Trujillo added that good interpretation services also enhance trust and goodwill. “Not only do medical interpreters build trust and mutual understanding between patient and provider,” Trujillo said, “but they reduce the anxiety a patient may be experiencing during their visit.”

Trujillo finds her work at Prowers Medical Center deeply rewarding. “Knowing that we are here to remove language barriers and help families receive the best quality of care—that’s very satisfying,” she said.

If You Need Language Interpretation

In-person Spanish-English Language Interpreter Services are available at Prowers Medical Center Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Language Line services in all languages are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To learn more about or arrange Language Access Services at Prowers Medical Center, call 719-336-7150 or visit prowersmedical.com.