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Breaking Language Barriers in Healthcare Employee Communication with TeamTranslate™

Breaking language barriers in Healthcare Employee Communication

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful operation, especially in environments as dynamic and diverse as healthcare. In hospitals across the country, language barriers have long been a challenge, impacting everything from day-to-day operations to patient care and satisfaction.   

Breaking Down Language Barriers in Healthcare Employee Communication

Enter Relay’s TeamTranslate™ feature—a groundbreaking technology designed to eliminate language barriers, foster better collaboration, and ultimately enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare teams.  

Many of our teams have been partnering with Relay since 2021 to support workforce communications, and this new TeamTranslate™ feature provides a valuable resource in our onsite toolkits to support team members and workflow.   

We sat down with Brian Ricci, Director of Client Innovation & Success at Morrison Healthcare, along with Kurt Foutz, Director of Business Development at Relay, and Layla Dougani, Strategic Customer Success Manager at Relay, to discuss how this tool is transforming the way our teams use Relay.   

Q: Can you tell us a bit about TeamTranslate’s functionality?  

Kurt: “Imagine working in an operation where all associates, regardless of their native language, can collaborate seamlessly, efficiently, and productively thanks to a communication device that effortlessly overcomes language barriers. Effective communication between colleagues has become a significant challenge as our work environments grow increasingly diverse.”   

“Relay addresses this by enabling operations to assign specific language profiles to users. This feature empowers associates to hear and communicate in their native language, eliminating the need to search for translators or encounter delays due to language differences.”  

Brian: “TeamTranslate™ will allow non-native English language speakers to have a tool to allow them to communicate with their peers and leaders in real time. Over 25 languages are supported, and each team member can have their Relay device programmed to their preferred language. Any time a team member speaks any supported language into the device, it will be translated into the language of choice for the user for them to understand the message.”  

Q: How will TeamTranslate™ support in improving meal timeliness and patient satisfaction?  

Brian: “By having to rely less on traditional translation services and methods, improved real-time communication between all language speakers also leads to quicker task execution and patient follow-up, which can lead to improved meal timeliness and patient satisfaction.”  

Kurt: “Approximately 15 percent of healthcare workers are reported to speak a language other than English at home. Bridging this language gap enables leaders and associates to communicate effectively, ensuring that small wares and carts are cleaned before meal service, food is prepared promptly, and meal carts are delivered to nursing units on time.   

When ESL (English as a Second Language) associates lack a translation solution, workflows are often delayed, potentially impacting patient outcomes in the long run. Moreover, prioritizing skills and qualifications in hiring allows leaders to build a more robust organizational culture and improve operational efficiency, regardless of the candidate’s primary language.”  

“Since we’ve started using the team translate feature, it has increased the efficiency of our team’s communication, and our Spanish-speaking staff feels more comfortable communicating. Overall, our teams are fans of the Relay ‘pucks,’ and we don’t have to hand it to them, they come and grab it themselves and say they need to grab their pucks!” – Avery Guice, Director of EVS, Coreworks   

Q: How can this technology be specifically tailored to meet the needs of our teams in hospitals across the country?

Brian: “One simple way would be to first install the Relay suite of hardware and software within the hospital. After installation, each employee is set up with a unique profile where their preferred language is chosen. From day 1, they’ll be able to use their Relay devices to better communicate with the team at large and improve their day-to-day experience at work. This process can be easily repeated for all staff in the department.”  

Q: What training and support does Relay offer for our associates so they can effectively use TeamTranslate in their daily operations?

Kurt: Getting started with TeamTranslate™ is super simple! Your Relay Customer Success Representative will assist you with setting up the feature initially. The team member will walk you through how to set up staff with their language of choice in the Relay Dashboard. Relay also provides additional knowledgebase articles on the setup and usage process that are easily accessible. Once the languages are configured in the Dashboard, staff just needs to continue communicating as they experience the positive impact on teamwork and efficiency.”  

Q: Why is this TeamTranslate technology so important to have in the healthcare space?   

Brian: “This technology supports in providing a solution to the challenges that language barriers among our teams bring. That we can achieve this through technology we already leverage to drive team unity and productivity is a game-changer. This new feature will not just connect our teams more effectively to achieve our service goals, and we’ll also explore how this technology can boost associate retention where implemented, both overall and for non-native English speakers.”   

Layla: “This feature presents numerous opportunities for healthcare professionals. It enables teams to recruit the most suitable individuals for frontline or leadership positions, regardless of whether English is their primary language. Ultimately, by providing a solution that promotes inclusivity and empowerment, healthcare organizations can enhance employee retention and foster a supportive work environment.”  

“In an industry where every second counts and patient care is paramount, the ability to communicate seamlessly across language barriers is a game-changer. This technology is more than just a translation tool; it’s a catalyst for operational excellence, inclusivity, and enhanced teamwork.”   

For more information about how Relay and its TeamTranslate™ feature can enhance communication in your healthcare facility, reach out to your Relay Customer Success Representative. Discover how this innovative tool can improve efficiency, foster inclusivity, and support your teams in delivering the highest quality of care.  

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