184 - Analysis and Utilization of Interpreter Services via Telephone Language Line in a Hospital Based Dental Clinic

Analysis and Utilization of Interpreter Services via Telephone Language Line in a Hospital Based Dental Clinic, Kane D, Duffy B, (St. Joseph Health Center)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate usage of the phone translator services in a hospital based dental center.

Methods: Language phone line translator services billing statements were reviewed from July 2019-July 2020. The data extrapolated included number of phone calls per month, language spoken, cost of call, and duration of call.

Results: 117 translator service calls met the inclusion criteria. 19 different languages were represented in the data. The languages most often translated using the language line included Arabic (n=29), Spanish (n=22), and Swahili (n=8). The average time for which telephone translator services were used was 13.41 min per call with an average cost of $10.456 USD per call. Farsi (n=7) accounted for the most time per call (39.71 min) and highest cost per call ($32.57) followed by Arabic (n=29) with 23.45 min per call and $19.23 per call.  The results highlight the diverse population that frequents an urban hospital based dental clinic and confirms the need for easy access to quality translation services. The results also suggest that certain languages may require more time to translate to English via telephone thus resulting in increased costs.