Oakland-Based Hospital Demonstrates Video Translation Service
Oakland-based Alameda County Medical Center officials last week demonstrated new videoconferencing technology to be used for translation services for patients who speak little or no English, the Oakland Tribune reports. The system allows physicians, accompanied by a medical center staff interpreter, to communicate with patients through a computer monitor. Alameda officials plan to install 40 of the units this year and expand the program to include 20 units at San Francisco General Hospital next year, according to Melinda Paras, the hospital's spokesperson. The California Endowment contributed more than $900,000 for the project; the Office of Minority Health added another $350,000. The videoconferencing units cost $5,000 to $6,000 each, Paras said (Horowitz, Oakland Tribune, 3/1).
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