The Triple Win: Benefits of ISO 21998 for Clients, Interpreters, and Service Providers

Introduction: The introduction of ISO 21998 in 2020 marked a significant milestone in the field of healthcare interpreting. This international standard was designed to elevate the quality of interpreting services within healthcare settings by defining rigorous criteria for practices and competencies. Here, we explore the distinct benefits that ISO 21998 offers to three key stakeholders: clients (patients and healthcare providers), interpreters, and interpreting service providers.

Empowering Clients: Ensuring Quality and Safety in Healthcare Interpreting For clients—both patients and healthcare professionals—the most immediate benefit of ISO 21998 is the assurance of quality and safety in communication. This standard ensures that interpreters are well-versed in medical terminology and are skilled in interpreting in a healthcare context, which is crucial for delivering accurate information and facilitating informed consent.

• Enhanced Accuracy: ISO 21998 requires interpreters to have a deep understanding of healthcare-specific language, which minimizes the risk of miscommunication—a critical factor in medical settings where errors can have serious consequences.
• Cultural Competence: By emphasizing intercultural competence, the standard ensures that interpreters can navigate cultural nuances effectively, thereby enhancing the patient’s comfort and trust in healthcare services.
• Improved Accessibility: For healthcare providers, the standard guarantees access to qualified interpreters who facilitate clearer communication, leading to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

Boosting Interpreter Professionalism and Career Development ISO 21998 offers significant advantages to interpreters by setting clear guidelines for qualifications and professional development. This not only helps in advancing their careers but also enhances their professionalism in a competitive field.

• Professional Growth: The standard encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement, which is vital in keeping up with the evolving medical field and linguistic changes.
• Recognition and Credibility: Certification under ISO 21998 elevates an interpreter’s professional standing in the healthcare industry, making them more attractive to potential employers and clients.
• Job Satisfaction: With clear ethical guidelines and support for proper working conditions, interpreters can experience greater job satisfaction and reduced professional stress.

Advantages for Service Providers: Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Reputation Interpreting service providers also stand to gain considerably from adopting ISO 21998. The standardization can lead to more efficient service delivery and a stronger reputation in the healthcare sector.

• Operational Efficiency: Implementing ISO 21998 helps streamline operations through clear protocols and standards, reducing variability in service quality and improving overall efficiency.
• Market Differentiation: Compliance with an international standard can serve as a key differentiator in the competitive market of interpreting services, attracting more clients who are seeking high-quality providers.
• Risk Management: By adhering to ISO 21998, service providers can mitigate risks associated with non-compliance to industry standards, including legal risks and the potential for damage to reputation.

Conclusion: ISO 21998 provides a framework that benefits all parties involved in healthcare interpreting. For clients, it brings enhanced safety and accuracy to their healthcare experience. For interpreters, it fosters professional growth and greater job satisfaction. For service providers, it offers a strategic advantage and operational efficiencies. As more organizations adopt ISO 21998, the entire healthcare interpreting sector moves towards a more professional and standardized future, promising improved outcomes for all stakeholders involved.