Accommodating Deaf and Visually Impaired Patients

Providing clear communication is essential for safe, high-quality patient care—but patients who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or visually impaired often face barriers that can affect their experience and outcomes. This session will explore practical ways to ensure all patients can understand their care and make informed decisions. We will discuss tools and strategies such as Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), on-site ASL interpreters, assistive listening devices, written materials, and other communication aids. Participants will learn how to identify each patient’s unique needs, use these tools effectively, and involve companions when appropriate, all while keeping the patient’s comfort and independence in mind.

Susan Bonfield is a New Jersey-licensed attorney with over 30 years of experience in healthcare law, specializing in hospital and physician issues. As Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, she oversees the hospital’s legal, compliance, risk management, and government relations activities. Susan provides strategic guidance on physician contracts, hospital bylaws, and regulatory compliance, and she manages responses to state and federal inquiries. She has served as counsel in numerous healthcare-related legal matters, including Medicare and Medicaid compliance, anti-kickback regulations, and civil rights issues. Susan earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Learning Objectives:

1. Determine the legal protections afforded to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients and their companions under federal and State law
2. Construct compliant care by adhering to legal requirements identified in recent trends in legal decisions
3. Define necessary accommodations to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals

Accreditation Statement:

Deborah Heart and Lung Center designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center is accredited by the Medical Society of New Jersey to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Disclosure Statement:

None of the planners, faculty, or the speaker, for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.