1. Inova Health System and VRI (Video Relay Interpreting)
May 2012 &

2. Presented by: Jaclyn Evans Sign Language Services Manager,
Inova Health Systems 2

3. Inova Health System includes:
Hospitals Emergency Care Centers
Urgent Care Centers Primary Care Centers
Adult and Pediatric
Specialties

4. Stand-alone Inova Emergency Care Centers
Hospital-based Emergency
Rooms
Inova Emergency Care
Center – Fairfax
Inova Emergency Care Center – Leesburg
Center – Reston/Herndon
Inova HealthPlex Emergency Care Center •
Inova Alexandria Hospital Emergency Room
Inova Fairfax Hospital Emergency Room/Inova Regional Trauma Center
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Emergency Room/Inova Regional Trauma Center
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Emergency Room
Inova Loudoun Hospital Adult and Pediatric Emergency Room
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
Emergency Room

5. Inova Urgent Care Center–Centreville
Inova Urgent Care Center–Dulles South
Inova Urgent Care Center–Purcellville
Inova Urgent Care Center–Vienna

6. Inova Primary Care Practice Locations &
Inova Family Medicine
Inova Internal Medicine
Ashburn
Falls Church
Chantilly
Mark Center
Gainesville
Mclean
Lake Ridge
Old Town
Springfield
Reston
Centerville

7. Pediatric Specialties
Adult Specialties
Pediatric endocrinology
Pediatric gastroenterology
Pediatric genetics
Pediatric cancer
Pediatric nephrology
Pediatric neurosurgery
Pediatric rheumatology
Pediatric intensivist
Pediatric hospitalist
Pediatric psychiatry
Breast Surgery
Endocrinology
Hospitalists
Intensivists •
Neurology
Neurosurgery Obstetrics
Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Trauma
Pathology Psychiatry Surgery
Transplant Trauma

8. Inova Interpreter Services:
Inova firmly supports patient centered care. We demonstrate this in our interpreter services by asking each and every patient and their companion if they communicate in English or/if they use another language to communicate. If they desire a Sign Language Interpreter we let the individual make the decision if they want to use an in person interpreter, or VRI.

9. Emergent Situations:
In the event that a patient is comes into one of our Hospitals under emergent circumstances we offer our VRI as an option until the in-person interpreter arrives. In this aspect VRI services are very prompt and effective.
VRI is not suitable for certain circumstances.

10. Inov a’s Inno vation :
Inova currently has a staff of 22 PRN American Sign Language Interpreters, and one full time ASL Interpreter.
Inova has a Sign Language Scheduler on duty 24/7 (for staff at any of our locations to request an interpreter).
We are currently exploring using VRI in house (we are testing this with spoken languages as well as American Sign Language).

11. VRI Obstacles: We have similar concerns as most with VRI, such as:
unusable for those with visual impairments or any number of
complex situations (immobilized, fatigued, distressed, etc.),
two dimensional,
connectivity or internet concern (natural occurrences or
disasters can cause problems).

12. Suggestions for VRI Medical Interpreters &
Extensive In-person medical interpreting background
Continual education in the most current medical
terminology, and current practices and procedures
Self awareness - VRI in a Emergency Department has the possibility of being very intense (imagine being a 911 operator with a view into the callers entire world)
Medical interpreting is not for everyone.
Being in a VRI environment where you may get cut off due to any number of reasons (IT problems, In person interpreter arrives, patient is rushed to any number of life saving measures)
can be very stressful, so being emotionally prepared for these
complex situations is key.

13. Closing:
Our Mission is “To improve the health of the diverse community we serve through excellence in patient care, education and research.”
Feel free to visit for more information.