Interpreter Services
The intent of the Interpreter Services / TDD / Hearing Impaired Access policy at Adventist Health is to ensure accurate communication between medical center staff and patients with language or communication barriers. Interpreter Services are utilized because they offer qualified or certified interpreters. Qualified or certified interpreter services are used for medical decision making discussions.
Interpreter Services - Language Assistance Services
If needed, interpreter services are available to patients and their families not fluent in English or to persons who have hearing or speech impairments. The services can be obtained by informing the admitting or registration staff, emergency department staff, or nursing staff of the need. The medical center maintains a language assistance service which includes:
Foreign Language Interpreter Services
Adventist Health Sonora will make every reasonable attempt to provide interpreter or language assistance services that will meet patients’ or family members’ needs. Complaints regarding interpreter service problems may be filed with the Risk Management Department in person or by calling (209)-536-3385 or by writing to Adventist Health Sonora, Risk Management, 1000 Greenley Road, Sonora, California 95370. Complaints can also be filed with the State of California Department of Health Services by calling (916)-229-3400. Hearing or speech impaired persons can file a complaint with the State of California Department of Health Services by using the TDD to call (916)-735-2929.