Language Line University Supports Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association

The Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association (MMIA), the oldest and one of the largest professional medical interpreters associations in the country, has just endorsed Language Line University's Interpreter Skills Test (IST) by saying, "MMIA is happy to announce the endorsement of the Language Line Interpreter Skills test, the only test offered directly to interpreters nationwide. Many health care organizations have used this test as an entrance requirement. Since October 2002, Language Line University has delivered almost 2000 Interpreter Skills Tests, in addition to the thousands that are delivered internally each year as part of Language Line Services' hiring process.

This test is offered in 160+ languages including: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Korean, Khmer, Arabic, German, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Russian, Tagalog, Somali, Farsi, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Hmong. More information about this test is at the MMIA website.

This recognition and validation on the part of MMIA is a great honor to Language Line University," said Janet Erickson-Johnson, Language Line Services' Certification Director. " We are proud of the professional quality work that all of our Interpreter Skills Testers have done to contribute to this achievement."

Click here to learn more.

Or write to healthletter@languageline.com.

Startup's software spurs deal -- Polyglot medical translation gains Language Line's clout

Anne Krishnan, Staff Writer

Morrisville startup Polyglot Systems spent years developing software to help doctors and nurses communicate with patients who don't speak English.

Now the country's largest provider of telephone interpreter services is taking Polyglot's product to the market.

The partnership with Language Line Services strengthens the tiny company's credibility -- as well as its sales and marketing muscle, said Polyglot CEO Charles Lee.

Language Line will sell the software in the United States and Canada, and the companies will share the revenue.

"That's a great validation that what we've been doing is on par with what the market's requesting," Lee said.

Click here to read the whole story

On a related topic...

Polyglot Founder Receives "Health Care Heroes" Award

MORRISVILLE, N.C. -- Polyglot Systems, Inc., announced today that its Founder and President, Dr. Charles Lee, will receive the Triangle Business Journal's "Health Care Heroes" Award for 2007.

Dr. Lee founded Polyglot in 2001 with the vision of creating software technology that would overcome many of the frustrations posed by language barriers, particularly in healthcare environments.

"I was very surprised and honored that I was chosen," said Dr. Lee upon receiving notification of the award. "I hope this will be seen as a validation of the importance of Polyglot's work in improving every healthcare worker's ability to communicate with patients who cannot speak English effectively."

Click here to learn more about Language Line HealthPort, the new software-based communication solution for healthcare providers by Polyglot and Language Line Services.

Joint Commission Report: National Strategies Needed to Better Serve Increasingly Diverse Patient Population in American Hospitals

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. - March 29, 2007 - A new Joint Commission report recommends targeted strategies to address language and cultural issues that increasingly pose challenges to hospitals seeking to deliver safe, effective care to diverse American population.

The recommendations in "Hospitals, Language, and Culture: A Snapshot of the Nation" result from a study of how 60 hospitals across the country are providing health care to culturally and linguistically diverse patient populations.

The project examined the challenges of providing care and services to populations that may not speak the same language or share the same customs; how hospitals are addressing these challenges; and promising practices that can be used by hospitals across the country.

To view this complete new release and the report, click here.

Try a fun vocabulary quiz about the differences between British and American English.

Contributed by Loly Lopez, one of our wonderful Senior Language Supervisors in the U.K.

Just click here and let the fun begin. Thanks Loly ;-))

Each month you'll receive our free monthly email newsletter featuring news, tips, interviews, surveys, stats, special offers and other useful information to help you better serve your limited English-speaking patients.

If you have a story idea, drop us a note at healthletter@languageline.com.

If you enjoyed this issue, share it with your colleagues and friends. Just ask them to send us a subscription request to healthletter@languageline.com or visit our website.

Your information will never be shared with anyone, ever! See our Privacy Policy here.