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Hospital district buys language-translating kiosksJun 12, 2013 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Ector County Hospital District approved the purchase of 10 kiosks that are designed to translate medical terminology into numerous different languages for non-English speaking patients during its Tuesday evening meeting. The Board of Directors approved the $25,760 purchase of the My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter (MARTTI) units by a 6-0 vote. Board director Richard Herrera was absent from the meeting. In a March interview, Executive Director John O'Hearn of Medical Center Hospital's planning and development department said the kiosks were designed to consistently translate medical terminology and treatment plans for patients who speak Spanish, American Sign Language and any of 203 different languages. Midland Memorial Hospital already uses such kiosks. In a separate action, the Board also elected Herrera to be its new president, while Board Director David Nelson was voted vice president, both in 6-0 votes. The Board also elected Board Director Mary Lou Anderson as its executive committee member, and gave Board Secretary Shelly Sheldon another term in that position, also by 6-0 votes. The Board of Directors also: --Approved the upgrades of two surgical navigation systems at a price of $307,687, and the purchase of an OB ultrasound unit at the cost of $130,844, with the same vote that also approved the purchase of the MARTTI units. --Listened to and accepted a report from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's Regional Dean Gary Ventolini, who announced the end of the academic year and a 100 percent passing rate for its graduating residency program, a first for the school. --Recognized Lead AP Clerk Diane Worsham as non-clinical employee of the month, Crystal Hernandez as nurse of the month, and, in absentia, Pharmacy Technician Manuela "Nelly" Salmon as clinical employee of the month. ___ (c)2013 Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) Visit the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) at www.oaoa.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |