DOJ, local ambulance company reach settlement to improve services for deaf, hard-of-hearing patients

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice and local ambulance company Tri-Med Ambulance have reached a settlement agreement to improve services for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The agreement stems from an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint by a south King County resident who received emergency medical transport Sept. 7, 2020.

In that case, the ambulance crew did not have auxiliary aids to allow them to communicate with the patient, and they failed to notify the hospital that the patient needed communication services.

As part of the settlement agreement, Tri-Med will ensure that it has proper auxiliary aids and services for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Patients can be shown a pictograph that allows them to choose a preferred method of communication from options like sign language, lip reading, or written communication.

Tri-Med will also obtain hardware and enter into contracts for video remote interpreting for each of its ambulances licensed for emergency response, and has agreed to notify hospitals if a patient needs communication assistance.

“When emergency medical services are involved, it is critical that a patient can communicate with caregivers,” said Brown. “I am pleased Tri-Med will have new procedures and resources in place to ensure patients who are deaf or hard of hearing will have effective ways to communicate.”