CSD Selected to Provide 24-Hour Emergency Interpreting Support for New Minnesota Hospital Consortium

From: CSD - Dec 12, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: December 5, 2005
SIGNED VIDEO RELEASE: www.c-s-d.org/default.aspx?tabid=279

CSD Selected to Provide 24-Hour Emergency Interpreting Support for New Minnesota Hospital Consortium

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 5 December 2005 – Twenty-two hospitals and urgent care clinics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. metropolitan area have formed a consortium to provide better service to deaf and hard of hearing consumers requesting emergency medical treatment.

On Nov. 1, CSD, a national nonprofit telecommunications and human services organization, began providing sign language interpreter referral service to participating healthcare facilities under a contract awarded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (DHHS). Marty Barnum, the division’s Emergency Statewide Sign Language Interpreter Advocacy and Training Program coordinator, worked with consortium members for three years to develop the partnership. Joan Del Rio has been hired by CSD to serve as project administrator.

Terms call for CSD to provide qualified, professional and timely sign language interpreting services for unplanned emergent situations when pre-scheduling an interpreter is not possible. Under the contract, interpreters are paid to be listed on a reserved 24/7 on-call schedule, allowing them to respond immediately when a need arises at member facilities.

“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to be part of the long overdue solution to the emergency interpreting needs of the Twin Cities deaf community,” said Jan Florand, executive director at CSD of Minnesota.

Participating consortium members include Allina Health System’s Abbott Northwestern, Mercy, United and Unity hospitals; HealthEast Health System’s South St. Paul Urgent Care and its St. Joseph’s, St. John’s and Woodwinds hospitals; North Memorial Hospital; Children’s Health Care’s Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses; Fairview Health Services’ University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital and its University of Minnesota, Fairview Ridges and Fairview Southdale medical centers; and Park Nicollet Health Services’ Methodist Hospital and Park Nicollet urgent care facilities in Burnsville, Brookdale, Carlson Parkway, Chaska, Maple Grove and St. Louis Park.

About CSD
CSD is a private, nonprofit telecommunications and human services organization based in Sioux Falls, S.D. In its 30-year history, CSD has expanded its communication service offerings and currently manages over 20 call centers in the U.S. CSD was the first deaf company to operate a video relay service, and the company also offers telecommunications relay services, equipment distribution programs and sign language interpreting services. Additionally, CSD’s National Programs provide human services in 15 locations in eight states. For more information, see www.c-s-d.org.

SIGNED VIDEO RELEASE: www.c-s-d.org/default.aspx?tabid=279

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