Interpreter Services
Communication between health professionals and patients is important for effective medical care. As a patient at Memorial Hospital, you have the right to request a medical interpreter at any time or may refuse the use of an interpreter. You can be confident that we will make every effort to ensure that you are able to communicate and to understand all information related to your care.
Interpreters are available free of charge for non-English speaking patients, their family members and representatives, and for persons who have limited ability to speak, write, read and understand English. Ask any staff member for help and he or she will make arrangements to schedule an interpreter for you.
For more information about Memorial Hospital's Interpreter Services, please call the hospital's Human Resources Department on weekdays from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at (401) 729-2670. At all other times, please contact the Nursing Administrator at (401) 729-2271.
You may also refer to our Interpreter Services brochure, available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Printed Communications
To help you understand written information related to your care, important materials have been translated and are available in the two languages most prevalent in our area, Spanish and Portuguese. Your nurse or healthcare provider can obtain a translated version of the materials you need.
A copy of Memorial Hospital's Patient Information Guide is available in Spanish and Portuguese. An interpreter can help communicate any written documents that have not been translated.
The Interpreter Services Program is administered by Memorial Hospital’s Human Resources Department. Call (401) 729-2670 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with any questions about this service. At all other times, contact the Nursing Administrator at (401) 729-2271.
Hearing Assistance
Over the phone
If a staff interpreter is not available when needed or one does not speak the requested language, your nurse will arrange for an interpreter from the AT&T Language Line. This outside resource provides interpreters over the phone for more than 135 different languages. If you are hard of hearing, auxiliary aids and services, such as assistive listening devices, are available free of charge. Ask your nurse if you would like to use one.
TDD
A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (a TDD), is located in the Emergency Department to assist patients who are hearing impaired or deaf. In addition, a portable TDD or telephone with volume control can be brought to your room for your use. Ask your nurse for assistance.
Sign Language
Patients can schedule American Sign Language medical interpreters at any time by calling our TDD line at (401) 723-2050, or by asking a staff member for help in making the arrangements
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