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Backus Hospital in Norwich resolved a complaint on behalf of a deaf patient who claimed Backus failed to take steps to communicate effectively with him during a hospital stay in violation of Title III of the Act American on Persons with Disabilities.
An agreement between the hospital and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, in partnership with the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, aims to ensure that Backus will provide effective communication with deaf or hard-hearing people, the US attorney’s office said.
The complaint had been filed with the US Department of Justice.
According to the complaint, although he requested services upon arrival at Backus and received them during his stay in the emergency room, the patient did not receive an interpreter or remote video interpreting services at times. criticism of his hospitalization and had to rely on handwritten notes to communicate. with doctors and staff.
In partnership with the Department of Justice, the Civil Rights Office investigated the allegations and reviewed hospital policies and procedures for effective communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The office sought to determine compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Affordable Care Act of 2010, which prohibit an entity that receives federal financial assistance from discriminating against qualified persons with disabilities. Laws require an entity to take steps to ensure communication with persons with disabilities is as effective as communication with others through the use of appropriate aids and ancillary services.
Backus has voluntarily agreed to take measures to ensure the availability of aids and ancillary services, and to monitor these measures. He also agreed to pay $ 7,500 in compensatory redress to the patient who filed the complaint.
“Healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide effective communication, which is a key part of ensuring patients receive quality care,” said Lisa Pino, Director of OCR. “This agreement sends an important message about the importance of removing unnecessary barriers to equal treatment for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. “
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a health care provider’s office or other public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to people with disabilities can contact the United States Attorney’s Office. at (203) 821 -3700.
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