Teaching our students culturally appropriate communication skills can be a challenge. Many people seeking health care have limited proficiency with the English language. Safe, timely and effective diagnosis and treatment of presenting conditions depends upon adequate interpretation of a patient's symptoms, concerns and needs. Neither health care facilities nor nursing programs have the resources to hire qualified medical interpreters to fit every communication challenge that arises. The Language Access Network (LAN) has developed a HIPPA approved wireless, two-way video and audio wireless connection to a skilled medical interpreter known as MARTTI (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter). This device is designed to assist with interpretation and language barriers to health care. MARTTI provides 24 hour a day, 365 days per year access to interpreters for over 150 languages including American Sign Language (ASL). MARTTI allows healthcare providers to use a small screen for face-to-face communication or a wide 19 inch screen for emergency situations. A document translation service allows patients to discuss forms in their native language and in a transparent environment. Interpreters employed by LAN take education programs that focus on various healthcare related topics including hospice, medical terminology and sexual health. LAN staff interpreters have degrees in ASL interpretation and national certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Nurses at both Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston report successful use of MARTTI, Ann Bykes RN, MSN a clinical specialist at Texas Children's Hospital says that using MARTTI is more accurate than trying to "wing it" on her own, and an improvement over standard phone interpretive services. Debby Taylor, RN, MSN, MBA of Aultman Hospital notes that the best thing about MARTTI is that the device can go anywhere that assistance with interpretation is needed. Go to the LAN website (http://www.languageaccessnetwork.com/) to evaluate MARTTI and also to determine if your students should be made aware of this technology.
Source: Wood D. (November 2008). Wireless interpretation system improves communication. NurseZone.com:Devices and Technology. Available athttp://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/devices-and-technology.aspx?ID=1846. Accessed November 13, 2008.