Interpreter Services

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Since so much of our mission at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland is to uphold the highest level of healthcare possible, we've made it our goal to facilitate access to hospital services for children and families who might experience language or cultural barriers. Interpreter Services within our facilities are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in multiple languages and dialects. By ensuring every family’s right to understand medical information and in providing them an opportunity to ask questions in a language that is mutually understood, we stand by our patients—and their support networks—as they experience better health outcomes and more positive hospital experience.

Why Families Choose Us

Effective Communication Means Better Pediatric Health

• Accurate and complete interpretation helps ensure effective communication, understanding of medical information and terminology, and compliance with follow-up treatment.
• Our dedicated interpreter staff helps medical providers establish direct relationships with their limited-English-proficient, deaf, or hearing-impaired patients and their families.

Interpreter Services with a Unique Population in Mind

• Because the dissemination of information in a healthcare setting comes in a variety of formats, our Interpreter Services options are available across different media. Face-to-face interactions, telephone services, and written translations are all options to help foster better communication.
• We work hard to be culturally sensitive to the needs of a diverse population, and our interpreter professionals are trained to understand and respect different cultural beliefs and how they may impact communication and compliance.

Accessing Interpreter Services

All patients who need language assistance have the legal right to a free Medical Interpreter.
If you have any questions about how to obtain the services of a Medical Interpreter, please contact our office Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5 PM at: (510) 428-3885 x 5292

Interpreter Access Policy (Acceso a Servicios de Interpretación) outlines how we provide Interpreter access at our hospital.

Access to Medical Interpretation When You Need It Most

• To better facilitate your transfer and admissions process, you may request an interpreter before coming to the hospital or at any time during your stay with us.
• All interpreter services are provided at no cost to the patient or family.

ASL Support at Children’s Hospital Oakland

• In addition to oral interpretation, we also provide access to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and TTY services.
• If you or a loved one would like to access ASL support, please make arrangements before your hospital stay or contact any of the nursing staff on duty while you're here.