Interpreter Services and Special Needs

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is committed to providing quality care and services to all people, so be sure to let us know if you have special needs. The medical center does not discriminate against any person in employment, admission, treatment, or participation in programs and benefits on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, source of payment or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability.

Of special concern is the necessity of careful communication with any person who has impaired sensory capabilities or language needs that may affect patient or public safety, treatment, care and services.

For these purposes, Sacred Heart provides services for hearing- or vision-impaired people, free of charge. Staff members are always available to help you access these services.

Hearing Impaired Vision Impaired Language Needs
Hearing Impaired

If you are hearing impaired, please let us know. We have a variety of services available:

  • Paid interpreters and video interpretation are available through Case Management/Social Work Services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Call 509-474-3184. Contact the nursing supervisors all other hours at 509-474-5160.
  • TDD/TTY equipment is available in the Emergency Department for emergency assistance and through the Case Management/Social Work office. It also may be accessed at any time through the nursing supervisor.
  • AT&T Voice Relay Service (800-833-6384) or AT&T's TTY assistance (800-833-6388).
  • Patient rooms have televisions with closed-caption capabilities.
  • Assisted listening devices - including amplified phones - may be obtained through the Communications Office on the Main Floor.
  • Phone amplification capability is available on designated AT&T pay phones in various public areas.
  • Fire alarms systems meet all regulatory safety requirements including visual flashing.
  • Offices and service areas at Sacred Heart have designated numbers in braille
  • AT&T provides Tele-Braille Communication Relay Services by calling 800-833-6385
  • Staff and volunteers may provide reading and writing assistance
  • Emergency call systems have easily accessible controls for impaired individuals
  • Ambulatory assistance is provided by staff
  • Posters are available at all entry points noting free language assistance availability in multiple languages and for hearing impaired.
  • Telelanguage Med Pat phones are available in all service areas and through Case Management/Social Work Services. This system is used for immediate interpretation needs.
  • Face-to-face and video interpretation is available through Case Management/Social Work Services at 509-474-3184 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. -  4:30 p.m., and through the nursing supervisor at all other times by calling 509-474-5160.
  • Sacred Heart utilizes certified agency interpreters and discourages use of family or friends to provide interpretation unless the patient insists on family interpretation or the family is assisting only with social communication.
  • Translated documents are available in Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese, including Terms of Admission/General Consent and other essential documents.