Compassionate

Communication

We offer a range of no-cost interpretive services. We believe that clear communication is essential for providing high-quality, compassionate care to every patient, regardless of their language or communication needs. These services include Spanish-speaking staff interpreters, on-demand language interpretation through Language Line, and support for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing through the American Sign Language Line.

Interpreters

Spanish Staff Interpreters

We employ two Spanish interpreters, who are available on our Glencoe campus Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To ensure they are available when and where they are most needed, our staff interpreters primarily interpret in the following situations:

  • During a patient’s scheduled appointment with a provider at the Glencoe Clinic
  • When a nurse is returning a call regarding a patient’s needs outside of a scheduled appointment
  • When a patient is receiving care in the Emergency Room or Birth Center
  • When it’s time to call and remind a patient about an upcoming appointment

Our staff interpreters do not receive direct phone calls from patients or meet with patients who stop in without an appointment.

Language Line

We also use a Telephone Language Line, available 24/7, to interpret these languages:

  • Español (Spanish) (when our on-site interpreters are not available)
  • Hmong (Hmong)
  • Af Soomaali (Somali)
  • 國語 中文 (Mandarin Chinese)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • pусский (Russian)
  • and many more!

American Sign Language Line

We use a video conferencing service to interpret for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients who communicate using American Sign Language. We have the necessary equipment available for use in all areas of the hospital and clinic on our Glencoe campus.