Can a health care provider require family members and friends to interpret for deaf patients?
Generally, no. Family members often do not possess sufficient sign language skills to effectively interpret in a medical setting. Even if they are skilled enough in sign language to communicate, family members and friends are very often too emotionally or personally involved to interpret “effectively, accurately, and impartially.” Finally, using family members and friends as interpreters can cause problems in maintaining patient confidentiality. 56 Fed. Reg. at 35553. Professional interpreters are highly skilled and nationally/state certified in sign language. They are trained in the interpreting process with focus on non-manual and specialized vocabulary. They are required to maintain their certification with continuous training and mandatory CEU’s. Certified interpreters are bound by a “Code of Ethics” for confidentiality, impartiality, and professionalism to ensure a true and accurate interpretation. Problems with using a friend or family member could be one or more of the following
