LifeLinks Presents Language Video Interpreting System to AMA, JCAHO and Department of Health of Virginia for Benefit of Deaf and Ethnic Diverse Communities

From: Emediawire (press release) - Jul 3, 2004

LifeLinks innovative language video interpreting system, capable of providing any of 150 different languages, including sign language, on demand, on any monitor or TV, within moments, was presented in June, 2004 to the AMA and The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations committees on solving problems in healthcare delivery resulting from ethnic diversity. The Virginia Dept. of Health Committee on healthcare delivery to the deaf community were witness to a live presentation of a remote interpreter (in South Carolina) interacting with the audience of healthcare professionals in sign language.

New York City, NY (PRWEB) July 5, 2004 -- LifeLinks presented a Spanish and Sign Language interpreter, to an audience of thirty healthcare professionals at the Virginia Dept. of Health in Richmond, Va. on June 21, 2004. The presenter held the portable monitor and pointed it at various members of the audience, some of whom were deaf, so that they could interact and communicate in a live sign language exchange. Some members of the audience were as far away as thirty feet from the screen and camera, further demonstrating the superb quality of the LifeLinks service as well as the technical skill of the Lifelinks interpreters.

Lifelinks live Spanish interpreter (physically located 2500 miles away) on the monitor, then impressed the audience by describing their clothing, dress, tie colors, hairstyles, etc., again at distances of between 5 and 30 feet, as well as converting various impromptu medical questions into Spanish.For persons who are both deaf and do not speak English, LifeLinks can simultaneously connect to both a sign language interpreter and a language interpreter in the language needed (both interpreters seeing each other and the subject person).

LifeLinks technology is capable of recording the interpreting session, as requested, as well as providing a written transcript, both of which can be digitized and made accessible as part of the patients medical record, at the hospital or remotely. In addition, as part of its commitment to the deaf community, Lifelinks is preparing to distribute 100,000 or more video-conferencing devices to members of the deaf community to increase their access to services and improve their ability to communicate. This is to be done in cooperation with several major public telecommunication and broadband providers.

The JCAHO is presently doing a 60 hospital study of the problems in healthcare delivery resulting from our nation's ethnic diversity. The AMA also has a committee studying this important quality of medical care issue.

LifeLinks equipment is unique in that it is portable and inexpensive, so that it can be placed on a patient's hospital bed and travel with her/him as the patient goes through various departments of a hospital for treatment. The equipment can be plugged in anywhere that there is a source of broadband, using even a simple, inexpensive TV. Hospitals like the fact that they may purchase their own video-conferencing equipment from their own vendor or a local CompUSA,Best Buy, etc.,and own it. LifeLinks charges only for the service, when used, at the low rate of $2.25 per minute for any language, and $2.95 for sign language, 24/7/365.

For more information, please contact Eliane Uscher, MBA, at 800-465-HEAL, 718-543-4100 or www.LifeLinks.net

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