Question 1

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost depends on the type of membership that suits your organization's needs.

Question 2

What if I don’t currently have any interpreters?

Accepted Answer

HCIN has a membership level for organizations that currently do not employ interpreters. We will review your current costs of providing spoken language interpretation and ASL to your patient population, and suggest the appropriate membership level.

Question 3

What if I have a large staff of interpreters?

Accepted Answer

Members with a large number of interpreters can share them with the network to generate income that partially offsets the cost of the interpreters. HCIN will review your interpreter staffing patterns and workload statistics and make suggestions that will improve coverage and maximize your shared interpreter income.

Question 4

Can I speak with an administrator at a current member hospital?

Accepted Answer

We are happy to facilitate an introduction to one or more of our member organizations.

Question 5

How long does implementation take?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the size of the organization, IT/Telecom infrastructure, wireless or not, number of sites where you want the video units to be deployed, implementation, including training of staff, can range from a few weeks to approximately three months.

Question 6

How do I determine how many video devices I need?

Accepted Answer

The HCIN installation team will work with your staff to determine where and how many clinical video units will be needed. Our team will make suggestions based on their 20+ years of installation experience with a variety of organizations ranging from small hospitals to major academic teaching organizations.

Question 7

Do we need to install new technology?

Accepted Answer

HCIN has been installed in organizations with a variety of IT platforms. Our system engineers will work with your IT/Telecom staff to insure a successful installation.

Question 8

Do you have technical assistance for getting set up?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our installation and engineering staff will work with your program and technical staff.

Question 9

What do membership fees fund?

Accepted Answer

Membership fees fund the cost of maintaining the network 24/7 including system engineering support, monthly data reports, technical assistance as needed, T-1 costs ( if applicable), and hosting fees ( if applicable). The fees also support the Director of Quality and Programs, and a modest administrative infrastructure.

Question 10

How do we know the quality of interpretation is excellent?

Accepted Answer

The shared healthcare interpreters have all gone through a minimum of a 40-hour approved health care interpreter training and have passed an independently evaluated interpreter skills test. For languages in which national certification is available, the majority of shared interpreters are nationally certified.  HCIN employs a full-time Director of Quality & Member Engagement who works with the interpreter managers and quality assurance staff to develop needed and requested in-service training programs, and who conducts regular presentation test calls on the Network. HCIN Learn has become a nationally recognized site for interpreter resources.

Question 11

How does HCIN compare to other language interpreter services?

Accepted Answer

HCIN is a unique model that allows member organizations to share their interpreter resources with others in the network including those who do not have any interpreters. Our health care interpreters are employees of the respective members.

Question 12

How do I learn more?

Accepted Answer

Contact HCIN Executive Director Frank Puglisi at: fpuglisi@hcin.org or 510-658-2831.

FAQ's