Parkland Health & Hospital System Expands Language Access with Language Line^® Phones in Every Patient Room

Dallas, TX -- October 28, 2009 -- Parkland Health & Hospital System is responding to the growing needs of limited English speaking patients by expanding its language access program to include approximately 1,000 Language Line^® Phones in patient rooms and other locations throughout Parkland Memorial Hospital. The unique, quick-dial, dual-handset phones from Language Line Services, the leading interpretation and translation provider, are used to facilitate three-way communications between medical providers, limited English speaking patients, and medical interpreters in more than 175 languages.

"Parkland is dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients, no matter what languages they speak," explained Deborah Moore, Director of Patient Relations for Parkland Health & Hospital System. "Over-the-phone interpretation is a critical link in the communication chain. By making the dual-handset phones readily accessible, we can better protect patient safety and improve care while containing cost."

According to Moore, at least 77 languages have been spoken by patients seeking medical services from Parkland so far this year. In addition, the hospital has experienced a 40 percent increase in demand for interpretation services over the past two years.

"Parkland has long been an industry leader in providing language access to its limited English speaking patients," said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services President and COO. "Language Line Services has worked with Parkland for many years, improving the patient experience by providing access to qualified medical interpreters skilled in medical terminology and the cultural nuances needed to provide culturally and linguistically competent care."

As part of its language access program, Parkland Health & Hospital System has also deployed 250 of Language Line Services' "Speak Pink" dual-handset phones throughout its Women's Services areas to support breast cancer awareness among patients. Proceeds from the use of the distinctively pink phones are donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing early screening and diagnostic services for breast cancer nationwide for women and men in need.

"The 'Speak Pink' phone is one more vehicle to help advance breast cancer awareness and information among ethnic groups impacted by language barriers that may not have the level of awareness afforded to others," said Paula Turruchi, Vice President of Women Services for Parkland. "The staff really enjoys having easy access to the phones, and we've already received positive patient feedback from their addition."

"Parkland Memorial Hospital is now the largest participant in our 'Speak Pink' breast cancer awareness program," noted Provenzano.

Top 10 Requested Languages by Parkland Patients

1. Spanish
2. Vietnamese
3. Korean
4. Arabic
5. Amharic
6. Burmese
7. Swahili
8. Mandarin
9. Farsi
10. Russian

About Parkland Health & Hospital System

Parkland Health & Hospital System is dedicated to the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to its care. It has been named one of America's Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years. For more information, please visit http://parklandhospital.com.

About Language Line Services

Language Line Services, the global leader in telephone interpreting and language solutions, serves clients in government, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, utilities, insurance and many other industries by quickly connecting them to their customers, patients and sales prospects in over 175 spoken languages as well as American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Growth of the language interpreting industry has soared with increased immigration and government regulatory policies mandating that organizations provide services to limited English speakers in their own languages. Language Line Services is recognized as a trusted partner to thousands of public and private organizations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, providing easy access to the industry's fastest language interpreting service at highly competitive rates. For more information about Language Line Services' suite of telephone, on-site and video interpreting, document translation, interactive software-based translation, interpreter training and certification programs, please call (800) 752-6096.