Is the video translation as good as on-site translation?
Have you handled severe medical emergencies?
What are the economics of Deaf-Talk?
How many units will I need?
Why ISDN (128 KBPS)? Where do I install the outlets?
Can I use my existing IP network connections to reach the ISDN line

Is the video translation as good as on-site translation?
Most customers tell us that deaf patients are "thrilled" with DT Interpreting services. Many clients have offered that deaf patients have requested the Deaf-Talk interpreting service once they know that it is available.

We have had a few patients who have initially asked for on-site interpreters rather than using the DT/DTI service. However, since the delay in getting an on-site interpreter was over an hour for these cases, the patient elected to use DT/DTI. At the end of these sessions, we asked and the patients told us that the experience with Deaf-Talk was preferable to waiting for an on-site interpreter.

We have found the data transmission rate (128 KBPS ISDN line) is very acceptable for seeing the signs for ASL interpretation. If a customer desires an even higher quality video image, DT/DTI can upgrade the system for 384 KBPS ISDN line transmission rates and for wireless applications.
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Have you handled severe medical emergencies?
Yes. Obviously, with Deaf-Talk, you have a interpreter on hand far quicker for these emergencies than your would otherwise. With DT/DTI, you can also request a interpreter who may have previously faced a similar difficult situation. Our interpreters have a minimum of five years of experience in interpreting for medical situations, and they have excellent interpersonal skills that can be helpful to you in difficult situations. We have interpreted for severe medical emergencies where the patient and/or family members were deaf, for sensitive preoperative consent, for complex discharge treatment plans, and for decisions affecting patients who have died or who are terminal.
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What are the economics of Deaf-Talk/DT Interpreting?
Generally our customers tell us that DT/DTI is half to two thirds of the cost they currently spend for on-site interpreting for unexpected situations.

Many of our clients spend over $30,000/year on on-site ASL interpreters. They often pay rates in excess of $60/hour. They pay for travel time. The often are required to pay on-site interpreters a minimum session fee of two hours, making the total "call out fee" roughly $150. They also incur premium charges for sessions that are not scheduled well in advance -- and all sessions required for the emergency department are "unscheduled". The typical interpreting session is actually very short: the average session is about 15 minutes. Therefore the amount hospitals pay for the actual interpreting as a result of a two-hour minimum call out fee is very high.

DT/DTI provides its customers with a mobile videophone conference unit that connects to our certified interpreters within minutes of a request. The mobile video unit may be either ISDN or IP based and operate at bandwidths of 128kbps or 384kbos and may be deployed on hospital LAN/WAN and wireless networks.  The hospital pays a monthly subscription fee for use of the equipment and for our stand-by capacity: we are available 24X7. The cost of the actual interpretation is charged by the minute.

In general, our customers tell us that our monthly subscription fee may total less than they incur in paying travel time to interpreters in a month, and they pay less for the actual interpreting for the onsite sessions.

DT/DTI believes it is the lowest cost, most convenient way for the hospital to ensure it is meeting the needs of deaf patients and meeting the requirements of the ADA.
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How many units will I need?
Over half our customers initially start with two or more units. In general, this decision is driven by the amount the hospital currently spends on onsite ASL interpreters. Many of our customers spend in excess of $30,000/year.

Our customers find they need at least one unit for the emergency department. This is where their staff has the greatest problem in getting certified interpreters on a timely basis. This is where they find the greatest medical need. This is where they feel they must provide the same timely response to communicate properly with deaf patients as they do with hearing patients, in accordance with the directives of the ADA.

The second unit is most often dedicated to pre/post operative suites and to patient rooms. Hospitals tell us that they incur very high costs for very short periods of actual interpreting time in these areas.
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How can I deploy the mobile video unit within the hospital facility?
The mobile video units may be deployed utilizing an independent ISDN based network and/or utilizing the hospital existing IP infrastructure.

ISDN based deployment (128kbps or 384kbps)

Where do I install the outlets?
We have found that a dedicated ISDN line at 128kbps provides the consistent, adequate bandwidth for high quality video transmission necessary for interpreting.

We ask our customers to dedicate an ISDN line to each unit. Our customers generally have a number of outlets in rooms or locations feeding from this the ISDN line. One customer has 15 outlets in their emergency department, for example. Other customers have also installed outlets in admissions, pre/post operative suites, and in patient rooms.

We can provide you with advice as to where to best locate outlets and refer you to Deaf-Talk customers who can give you advice.


IP based deployment (384kbps)

Can I use my existing hospital IP network connections to reach the ISDN line?
Yes!  More than fifty of our hospital clients currently deploy the mobile video units over the hospital existing IP infrastructure.  The mobile video unit may be connected to any Ethernet port for use.  Alternatively, Many of these clients utilize their existing wireless network(s) to provide nearly unlimited utilization of the mobile video unit within all hospital treatment and patient care areas. (Back to top of the Page)