Thursday, November 7, 2024
9:45 – 10:00AM (CT)
Welcome Session
10:00 – 11:15AM (CT)
Armchair Discussion: Defining Equitable and Accessible Care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Jennifer Axelrod, Maryam Hussein and Emily Mudrick
Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals often face significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare services. These challenges, collectively known as the “Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing tax,” can lead to disparities in health outcomes and overall well-being. During this armchair discussion, the presenters will share their respective healthcare stories and how being deaf has resulted in them experiencing a variety of burdens and challenges. The presenters will also examine the need for policy and systemic improvements to address this tax and drive patient experiences and outcomes.
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of effective communication aids, interpreters, and training healthcare providers in inclusive communication practices.
- Address the attitudinal barriers that Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals encounter in healthcare settings.
- Identify the impact of stigma, discrimination, and lack of understanding on patient experiences and outcomes.
- List the roles healthcare providers, policymakers, and payers have in creating a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system.
11:30AM – 12:30PM (CT)
Navigating Compliance and Best Practices for Auxiliary Aids in Healthcare
Kimberlee Pelkey and Rosemary Ford
This workshop is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to provide effective communication access for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing patients/companions. Participants will explore the various auxiliary aids and services that can be implemented to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and improve patient outcomes. Key topics include understanding the communication needs of these diverse communities, identifying the appropriate aids and services for different situations, and learning best practices for collaboration with interpreters, captioning services, and assistive technology providers. Attendees will also engage in hands-on exercises and case study discussions to apply these concepts in real-world healthcare settings.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Assess communication needs for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals
- Offer suitable solutions to Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing patients and companions
- Identify strategies to ensure that Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing patients receive equitable and effective care.
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Maximizing the Use of Electronic Health Records Systems for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients
Corey Axelrod
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized the healthcare industry by providing a comprehensive and digitalized approach to patient data management. However, to fully leverage the potential of EHRs, healthcare organizations must adopt strategies to optimize their use. During this session, Corey Axelrod will facilitate a collaborative “roundtable-like” session where all participants can actively participate and ask each other questions – the discussion will revolve around maximizing the use of healthcare organizations’ EHR systems, specifically as it pertains to revolutionizing the patient experience for Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing and late-deafened individuals.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify opportunities to drive improvements in patient care, operational efficiency, and organizational outcomes.
- Discuss how EHRs can contribute valuable insights into patient care and population health.
- List the essential components of a successful EHR implementation plan, including stakeholder engagement and training.
12:45 – 2:15PM (CT)
Lunch/Virtual Exhibit Hall
2:15 – 3:30PM (CT)
Beyond the RFP: Key Considerations for Healthcare Interpreting Partnerships
Ben Daniel, Cody Francisco and Nicole Moran
In today’s increasingly diverse healthcare landscape, effective communication with patients from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds is essential. This panel discussion will delve into critical elements healthcare organizations should consider when evaluating potential language service companies, ensuring healthcare organizations select the most qualified providers to meet Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals’ specific needs.
Participants will be able to:
- Assess a provider’s experience, interpreter qualifications, technology infrastructure, and commitment to quality assurance.
- Understand the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity, medical terminology proficiency, and ethical standards in delivering high-quality interpreting services.
- Identify how to address challenges proactively and ensure ongoing quality improvement.
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Outreach and Support for Families Beyond the Clinical Setting
Katie McCarthy
During this session, Katie McCarthy will describe the “whole child” model and care for d/Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families seen by the Boston Children’s Hospital Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, which is comprised of hearing and deaf professionals in the fields of audiology, otology, neuropsychology and speech-language pathology, and outreach. The presenter will expand how the healthcare outreach component helps shape families and patients’ experiences, including identity development, sense of belonging, and self-advocacy tools, and how the presence of a deaf professional within the healthcare setting transforms clinical care, cultural understanding, and accessibility for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing pediatric population.
Participants will be able to:
- Apply the “whole child” framework and cultural sensitivity towards their patient care
- Identify resources for d/Deaf and hard of hearing patients
- Implement opportunities for family support beyond clinical care
3:45 – 5:00PM (CT)
An Interactive Conversation about the DeafBlind Experience in Healthcare Settings
Yashaira “Yash" Romilus and Rhonda Voight-Campbell
This is an open forum for participants to ask questions or request further elaboration on best practices in working with DeafBlind individuals in a judgement-free environment. Issues of power, privilege and oppression will be addressed to best facilitate and support effective communication and practice intersectionality and inclusion awareness.
Participants will be able to:
- List three strategies to facilitate and support the provision of effective communication experiences for DeafBlind professionals.
- List a minimum of two ways they can practice intersectionality and inclusion awareness when working with DeafBlind individuals in healthcare.
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Effectively Triaging Interpreters: Ensuring Timely and Effective Access to Care
Valoree Boyer, Erika Bravo and Sarah Serralta
This session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the critical role of interpreter triaging in healthcare settings. Participants will learn about the importance of effective interpreter selection, the challenges that interpreters encounter, and strategies for optimizing communication and improving patient outcomes for deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals. The session will delve into the factors that influence interpreter triage decisions, including language proficiency, subject matter expertise, cultural competency, and availability. Participants will explore best practices for establishing interpreter triage protocols, using interpreter databases, and ensuring timely communication with providers and patients. Additionally, the session will address common challenges related to interpreter triaging, such as interpreter shortages, language mismatches, and cultural barriers. Participants will learn strategies for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring that patients receive the appropriate interpreter services in a timely manner.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify key factors for selecting appropriate interpreters.
- Implement best practices for interpreter triage processes.
- Address common challenges related to interpreter triaging.
- Develop a plan for improving interpreter triage in their healthcare organization.
Friday, November 8, 2024
9:00 – 9:45AM (CT)
Virtual Exhibit Hall Open
10:00 – 11:15AM (CT)
Safe Discharge Planning
Dr. James Huang, Katie McCarthy, Dr. Michael McKee, Dr. Kruti Shah, and Dr. Jaime Wilson
This session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges that deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals encounter during the discharge process. The panelists will discuss common barriers to successful discharge for this community. Additionally, the panelists will delve into the importance of individualized discharge planning for this population, emphasizing the need to address not only medical needs but also social, emotional, and practical support. Participants will learn about opportunities to collaborate with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, their families, and community resources to ensure a safe and successful discharge and that patients and their families receive the appropriate level of care and support after leaving the hospital.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify common barriers to discharge planning for individuals who are deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing.
- List strategies to ensure effective communication, access to information, and coordination of services during discharge planning for deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals.
- Explain the need for creating comprehensive discharge plans that address communication needs, transportation, housing, and other essential services.
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Real-Time Captioning in Healthcare: Implications and Best Practices
Leticia Fox, Christa Moran, and Morgan Underwood
This session will explore the significance of real-time captioning in healthcare settings, highlighting its potential to improve communication, enhance patient experiences, and promote accessibility. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the implications and best practices for implementing real-time captioning in various healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, and telehealth services.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify how real-time captioning can improve communication, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce language barriers.
- List the legal requirements for providing captioning services and the ethical implications of ensuring accessibility for all patients.
- Identify effective strategies for selecting captioning providers, training staff, and integrating captioning services into existing workflows.
- Address common challenges and solutions related to real-time captioning.
11:30AM – 12:45PM (CT)
Strategies, Challenges, and Compliance: Addressing Unfunded Mandates for Language Access in Healthcare
Shawn Norris, Vonessa Costa, Bill Rivers and Mara Youdelman
This workshop aims to delve into the significant issue of underfunded mandates for language access in healthcare. Healthcare providers are legally obligated to provide language services to those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, the absence of dedicated funding presents substantial challenges. This session will gather experts in language access law and service leaders to discuss the legal requirements, financial implications, and practical approaches to compliance. Participants will gain comprehensive insights into reconciling legal compliance with financial sustainability while prioritizing equitable healthcare for all patients.
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze the impact of unfunded mandates for language access on healthcare organizations’ financial and operational capacities.
- Evaluate different strategies that healthcare providers can implement to comply with language access requirements while managing costs effectively.
- Create a comprehensive plan that integrates language access services into broader healthcare equity and inclusion initiatives, considering both legal obligations and resource constraints.