In this digital age, many organizations are looking for quick solutions. Teneo Linguistics Company recognizes this and over the years has perfected its on-demand interpreting services.
Professional interpreting is a much-needed component of communication in today’s global marketplace. Whether a community event, a medical appointment, or a business interview, quick and professional interpreting services through TLC’s online system can be utilized by any company.
The platform allows customers to log in and schedule an interpreter for a face-to-face interpreting assignment or request immediate services over the telephone or via video.
Here’s a look at the benefits of each type of interpreting through the online portal:
• Video Remote Interpreting – The interpreting is done over a computer, tablet, or phone. This type of interpreting service is commonly used in the healthcare and corporate industries. It is beneficial in emergency situations due to its immediacy in connecting with an interpreter. VRI is typically more economical and ensures effective communication with the face-to-face factor.
• Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) – Another budget-friendly interpreting service that allows an organization to preschedule an interpreter through a telephone call. Since most people have their cell phones readily available, this is another option to connect to a professional interpreter quickly.
The platform also collects and records data any time it’s used. This gives an entity more flexibility and fast resources as they control their own customized page.
TLC management provides every new customer with a demonstration of the platform, complete with a PowerPoint, and answers questions along the way. While the platform streamlines the interpreting process, customers are never left to fend for themselves. Clients always have direct access to TLC employees.
This modern, cloud-based system enables us to deliver high-value and lower-cost service.
And while this platform is a great option for many customers, TLC also offers on-site interpreting as well. There are two types of on-site interpreting:
• Simultaneous Interpreting – The interpreter listens and renders the message in the target language simultaneously as the speaker is speaking. Simultaneous interpreting is suitable for conferences and/or large meetings. TLC also provides the needed specialized interpreting equipment.
• Consecutive Interpreting – The interpreter speaks after the source-language speaker has stopped speaking. This is suitable for business meetings, press conferences, educational settings, and small groups.
Learn more about TLC’s professional interpreting services by visiting www.tlctranslation.com.
As a healthcare professional, what’s your top priority?
Of course, it’s to provide the best care possible to all your patients.
That should include patients Limited English Proficiency (LEP), right?
And as you know, clear communication between you and your LEP patients is critical in building the best care plan possible.
How do you ensure effortless communication?
US law requires healthcare facilities to offer qualified interpreters to LEP patients, but it can be time-consuming to schedule in-person interpreters for every single appointment.
Plus, it is nearly impossible to schedule an interpreter for last-minute appointments or emergencies.
Moreover, in this time of social distancing, scheduling in-person interpreter services can be risky.
Fortunately, there’s a solution that makes it easy to access qualified medical interpreters on-demand, and without risk: Over the Phone Interpreting (OPI).
OPI services give you on-demand access to vetted, qualified interpreters in seconds, improving patient care one call at a time.
Here’s how.
1. Provide Better Access to Care
Your patients come to you for a reason: to receive quality care and guidance from you, their chosen healthcare provider.
They trust you to listen to their medical concerns, answer their questions thoroughly, and to provide an effective treatment plan.
With a professional foreign language interpreter on the line, you both can be confident that your messages transmit seamlessly because over the phone interpreters are experienced, vetted, and specialize in medical terminology.
Best of all… nothing gets lost in translation.
It’s simple. If LEP patients can communicate with you, they will have access to better care—your care.
2. Increase Patient Trust
Patients trust you with their lives, their care, and their wellbeing.
Using OPI services allows you to easily connect with LEP patients on a personal level while building trust and rapport.
Talking through a language professional naturally puts both you and your LEP patients at ease because communication is effortless.
With substantial language support, LEP patients are more likely to continue receiving care from you and more likely to recommend friends and family to your practice.
3. Better Communication, Better Treatment
Clear communication with your patients will always result in better treatment.
Without it, your patient cannot inform you of their symptoms, which could lead to a misdiagnosis, health complications, or a possible lawsuit against your organization for not providing adequate language support.
Unfortunately, many patients and healthcare providers think using bilingual persons to interpret during appointments (like family members or bilingual medical personnel) is adequate for communication.
Let’s get one thing straight. Bilingual isn’t enough.
Why? Because professional interpreters are language experts, and bilingual persons are not. It’s that simple.
Take the tragic story of 18-year-old Willie Ramirez, for example.
Willie’s family took him to an emergency room in south Florida after he suddenly fell into a comatose state.
With no family members proficient in English, they brought in a bilingual family friend to help communicate with medical staff about Willie’s condition.
Unfortunately, the friend misinterpreted the Spanish word “intoxicado” (feeling sick from ingesting something) to “intoxicated” in English.
The incorrect translation led to the medical staff wrongfully diagnosing and treating Willie for a drug overdose, instead of the intracerebellar hemorrhage he was actually experiencing.
Willie developed quadriplegia because the medical staff didn’t treat the hemorrhage quickly enough, and he and his family successfully sued the hospital for $71 million.
Don’t take the risk. Use OPI services, so nothing gets lost in translation.
4. HIPAA Compliant
OPI platforms, websites, and portals are HIPAA compliant, and all medical interpreters are HIPAA trained.
All information entered into the OPI platform, and all communication through the over the phone interpreter stays confidential and secure.
And you can breathe easy knowing you and your patient’s information are protected—a win-win.
5. Cost Effective & Easy
OPI platforms take just minutes for initial set up and are easily accessible through a phone, tablet, or computer.
You pay only for the minutes used, with no minimum fees, making it significantly more cost effective than in-person interpreting.
With OPI services, you’ll spend less money and less time scheduling interpreting services – all while improving your patients’ care with ample language support.
Offer OPI services and show LEP patients you care.
The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is affecting individuals, communities, businesses, medical facilities, and organizations all over the world in severe and significant ways.
The practice of social distancing as a means of limiting public exposure to the virus, has countless businesses and organizations scrambling to adapt to the precautions, calling for people to avoid mass gatherings. Many organizations are setting up employees to work remotely and quickly trying to assess how the outbreak will affect their processes in various capacities.
Organizations and individuals that rely on interpreting services for medical appointments, business meetings, interviews, consultations, and other activities, must find safer alternatives to in-person interpreting as a social distancing precaution.
Over the Phone Interpreting (OPI)
Over the phone interpreting services (OPI) are a great alternative to in-person interpreting. OPI technology provides vetted, high-quality interpreting professionals quickly, securely, and safely through easy-to-use interpreting platforms. OPI technology has advanced significantly in recent years and offers many benefits to organizations.
Easy & Secure Accessibility
You can request interpreting through most OPI platforms via phone, tablet, or computer – and most are fully compatible with Android and Apple devices.
The platform allows the user to conveniently connect to live interpreting professionals on-demand or to schedule services in advance. State-of-the-art OPI platforms use strong, secure connections to ensure a smooth call, every time.
Many OPI platforms offer video remote interpreting services (VRI), allowing video calls with interpreting professionals. This option is great for virtual conferences, webinars, and specific languages like American Sign Language (ASL).
Also, OPI services are typically more cost-effective than in-person interpreting. Most OPI platforms charge by the minute – which means no fees for mileage and no cancelation fees.
Specialty Domains
New OPI platforms allow you to request interpreting professionals that specialize in a specific domain. This feature ensures you access an interpreter with the qualifications and background needed for your call.
Domains include, but are not limited to:
Business
Corporate
Customer Service
Education
Emergency Services
Events
Federal Government
Financial Services
Legal
Local Government
Medical
Medical (non-certified)
Non-profit
Personal
Social Services
Sports
Travel/Hospitality
Stay Safe, Use OPI Services
During this critical time, social distancing is an incredibly vital practice to ensure yourself and others’ safety. Choosing to use OPI services for your interpreting needs promotes social distancing. OPI interpreters work remotely, and the services operate through a device like a phone or a laptop.
If your organization depends on professional interpreting services, make the safe choice, and use over-the-phone interpreting services as an alternative to in-person interpreting.
