'In-Demand' interpretation devices intended to improve the patient experience

St. Luke’s Magic Valley, Jerome and Wood River are welcoming new video interpretation devices.

The In-Demand devices intend to improve the patient experience.

"So we are rolling out this week into the Magic Valley, Wood River and Jerome our new video interpreting device that will help us support our patient population that is limited in English proficient, or the deaf and hard of hearing," said Michelle Ross, the director of patient services.

The interpretation system In-Demand will allow patients the ability to communicate with their caregivers through a virtual interpreter immediately.

"We can go into all the different environments across the health system in our clinics, ER, emergency room, as well as our patient areas in the hospital,” Ross said.

The equipment supports video assistance for 27 languages and more than 250 languages over a phone as well as sign language.

"Everyone is really excited to be able to have this tool at their fingertips it's truly on demand whether a patient walks in scheduled or not they are able to access this service," Ross said.

Fifty In-Demand devices are live and readily available now.

"Language service support is free to our patients, we want to make sure they receive the best care possible and communication is key,” Ross said. “Being able to communicate what's ailing them and how we want to treat them and those kinds of things is imperative. Without a tool like this, we're not able to do that. So we don't charge them for that it is always a free service."

In person interpretation will still be available.