Errors in Medical Translations

You will hear discussions of the errors that occur between a patient and doctor because of a bad interpreter. But what about the detrimental errors that occur in a bad, inaccurate medical translation? Clearly, it is a result of not using a professional translation service agency.

There are over 19 million residents in the US who have a limited proficiency in English. A medical translation error is a cause of ‘unknown’ medical errors that happen in US hospitals every day. A study performed in 2004 showed that 77% of medical translations that were done by nurses, family members, or social workers resulted in a “potential clinical consequence.”

The solution is to ensure that those who say they can do medical translation can actually do so. Using a professional translation service or Spanish translation service agency would be more reliable than using a freelance translator. Professional translation service like Interpreters Unlimited work with medical translators well versed in medical terminology, confidentiality issues, and principles of informed consent. Contact IU today to learn more about who we successfully provide medical translation and interpretation for hospitals and other health facilities.

Lost in Medical Translation

There is a reason why the phrase Lost in Translation is so popular. Translating from one language into another runs the risk of losing meaning or context. This is especially true for a medical translation. This is why it is crucial to work with someone who knows how to translate, a professional translation service or Spanish translation service.

Using a professional translation service agency can reduce potential errors greatly. Professional translators understand word usage. That is, words that have different meanings in different languages. A professional translation service will understand syntax between two languages. This is important in any language translation. Professionals from a Spanish translation service for example, have the ability to take a Spanish sentence and translate it using the correct syntax, sentence structure whereby the meaning of the sentence is not loss. This is an error you do not want to see for medical translations.

Professional translation services will take the time they need to read the source document, i.e. medical translation patient profile form, and then translate, in oppose to amateurs who are in a hurry and may miss something. These professionals will catch text that cannot be translated word by word.

Always use a professional translation service for all translations especially medical translations.

Spend it on Professional Translation Services, It’s Worth it

Medical translation services are needed all over the World. Although based in the United States, Interpreters Unlimited is able to receive a document from anywhere, perform the medical translation service or Spanish translation service, whichever the case, still within a three-business day turn around.

With President Obama and many members of his staff on the way to India, there is much talk about trip expenses that fall on the tax payers. Part of these expenses could be allotted for professional translation services, medical translation, language interpreters, or other translation services. Although it is up for discussion what is a necessity and what is not, I feel confident to say that expenses toward a professional language interpreter or professional medical translation, if needed, is worth it. Course, I could be bias.

Spend the extra amount on a professional that is qualified to provide medical translations, or Spanish translations, or any in-person language interpretation. Get a free estimate on your next translation you need.

Translation Bias

Many organizations opt to use inhouse resources hoping to yield professional translation services that are exact. But the reality is that any person close to the project may have a bias and this may be reflected in the translation they produce. This is not as common in a medical translation as the subject matter is quite straight forward, but it can happen.

The best way to alleviate the potential of a bias or inaccurate translation is to use a third party professional translation service that is in no way affiliated to your organization. There are several medical translation and Spanish translation service agencies available including Interpreters Unlimited.

Interpreters Unlimited provides reliable document translation nationwide in over 130 languages. Whether it’s a medical translation or Spanish translation service you need, Interpreters Unlimited will use only translators whose expertise falls into the category of content used in the translation. Contact us today to learn more about our professional translation services. Click here to request a free translation quote, including medical translations.

Tools for Medical Translation and Other Professional Translation Services

Let’s assume you already understand that one cannot rely on free online professional translation services tools for language document translations, and especially not for medical translations. With that said, let’s move on to tools that are out there that are actually used by professional translations service agencies. Tools like the one developed by Kilgray do not hinder the human input factor necessary for an accurate document translation.

Many professional translation service agencies and individuals providing Spanish translation services are turning to these tools since they help quicken their turnaround. The functionality of such software provides translators with quick access to reference documents, integration of localization formats, project management tracking, and much more.

Those agencies that provide medical translations can also benefit from these tools. Medical translations require a unique subject matter expertise; however, increase turnaround time without compromising quality is a huge benefit for this field of translations as well. The importance of mentioning these tools is to emphasize that translators are advancing in the technology they use to continue to provide professional translation services but the common thread for all reliable and accurate translations is that the translation process does not neglect the need for the human touch.

Medical Translations are Not Simple

It is not simple to conduct a medical translation. Besides being proficient in the language that needs to be translated, a translator must completely understand the content of the medical translation. It can be said that the most qualified person to perform a medical translation would be a physician. However, this is not always possible nor is it necessary.

Medical translators can undergo training that is specific to performing medical translations. This would include becoming proficient in medical terminology such as procedures, medications, anatomy, side effects, illnesses, symptoms, and so on.

When you find the translation agency you want to use, just confirm the background of the medical translator by verifying the training and medical translation experience they have had.

What Type of Spanish Do Translation Companies Use?

As English is spoken quite differently throughout the nation, this also holds true for Spanish. One may find a difference in how those in Florida speak Spanish compared to Spanish speakers in Southern California. The question asked quite often to Spanish Translation Services is what type of Spanish is used for Spanish translations?

Spanish translation services use Spanish that can be understood by anyone who speaks Spanish no matter what region of the country they live. It is the same concept when books for school are written. English textbooks can be understood by students throughout the country regardless of location. Most Spanish translation services do not use any form of slang or other word usage that may be specific to one region.

When using any Spanish translation service, do not worry about the Spanish they will be using, focus more on their quality, experience, and professionalism.