Conference presentation highlights role of medical interpreters

Boston — Lisa Morris, Director of Cross Cultural Initiatives, defined the current role of the medical interpreter in the health care environment at a conference sponsored by Medically Induced Trauma Support Services, Inc.

Held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on Aug. 28, 2010, the conference aimed to promote engagement of minority communities in safer health care and drew nearly 100 attendees.

In her presentation — titled “Medical Interpreters: What is their role in safety?” — Ms. Morris also discussed the regulatory mandates in Massachusetts regarding the utilization of interpreters. She emphasized the importance of communicating health care information to patients in their native languages to reduce barriers to quality health care and improve rates of patient safety and satisfaction.

Other presenters included Lisa O’Connor, Vice President of Nursing at Boston Medical Center, Deb Washington, Director of Diversity Patient Care Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Lucilia Prates, Director of the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol for Elder Services of Merrimack Valley.