We Have Interpreters Available

We have interpreters available | Chúng tôi có thông dịch viên | Tenemos interpretes ! | حن نوفر المترجمين | Em wergeran pêşkêşdikin

Effective communication is crucial in the healthcare industry. Bluestem Health in Lincoln, Nebraska makes it a priority for our patients to have access to healthcare in their native language. Interpreting services is just one of the many excellent services offered by Bluestem Health in Lincoln, but one that sets them apart from other health clinics. Providing interpreters for their patients goes beyond healthcare; it is a human, community service that speaks to the importance of respecting different cultures.

“To communicate well in a language not one’s own takes more than knowledge of words and structures; it takes a grasp of their relationship to the underlying culture.”

– French Language Professor and Author, Barry Lydgate

Lincoln, Nebraska was designated as “a refugee-friendly city” in 1970 by the government and soon became one of the “Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities in America” because of its size, educational system, and stable economy. Refugees from over 40 countries have made their way to the Capital City. These refugees were from the Karen population and were fleeing political and ethnic wars. Since the turn of the century, 5,500 total refugees from countries like Burma, Bosnia, Vietnam, Mexico, Russia, Sudan, China, Afghanistan, Iraq, and more have settled in Lincoln and are still arriving. These numbers do not even include families who were sent to other states first and moved to Lincoln after. Needless to say, Lincoln, Nebraska is in need of interpreting services and Bluestem Health offers these services.

Bluestem Health’s Interpreting Services

Faysal, one of Bluestem Health’s translators, is proud to have been working at Bluestem Health since December of 2015. Originally from Northern Iraq, Faysal worked with the U.S. military from 2005-2011, but when most of the bases closed, he moved his wife and two sons to Lincoln, Nebraska to provide interpreting services in the community. He loves “connecting people and being a bridge between two cultures, people, and languages.” Living in the U.S. Faysal is well aware of how important interpreting services are for Bluestem Health’s patients, and he is passionate about providing them with interpreting services to ensure they receive equitable care.

Why Interpreting Services Matter?

Research shows that lacking patient-provider communication is the largest cause of serious negative results and gaps in care. Without interpreting services, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Patients in the U.S. are more likely to:

• Report poor health,
• Decline needed care,
• Leave the hospital against medical advice,
• Miss follow-up appointments,
• And, experience drug complications.

When providers cannot understand patient symptoms and do not offer interpreters or translating services, the result can be unnecessary diagnostic tests and procedures, as well as higher rates of misdiagnosis and hospital readmission.

The Bottom Line with Interpreter Services

The bottom line is that cultural, interpreting, and translation services are essential to delivering equitable healthcare. Nebraska ranks fifth in refugee resettlement per capita compared to other states of similar population. Equity is important in such a diverse community.

Comprehensive Interpreting Services

At Bluestem Health, Faysal and his colleagues are able to offer interpreting services to groups of 10-50 people a day. He loves Bluestem Health because he feels that they offer the most comprehensive interpreting services when compared to any other health clinic. He urges anyone, not just refugees, to contact Bluestem Health at 402-476-1455 for more information, and to spread the word about all services, but especially the interpreting services Bluestem has to offer. These services include :

• Medical
• Dental
• Behavioral Health
• Patient Support Services

Bluestem Health in Lincoln, Nebraska is fortunate to have the ability to offer interpreting services by experienced interpreters who love making a difference in our beautiful, diverse community every day.