COLUMBIA, S.C. — Local health providers are working to bridge the gap between doctors and non-English speakers, offering services to create more efficient and comfortable experiences for patients.

Lexington Medical Center is one of the hospitals leading that effort, focusing on providing in-person interpreters to ensure patients receive the care they need.

“Who we are as an organization is trying to meet the needs of our community and we understand that the community is more than just English speakers,” said Amanda Elias-Vargas, manager of interpreter services at Lexington Medical Center.

Elias-Vargas said interpreters play a key role in helping doctors understand their patients and vice versa.

“A lot of decisions are made based on what the patient says. More importantly than those blo

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