Special Needs Services
Patient with Disabilities, Impairments, or Language Barriers
Access to hospital facilities and services is available to patients with disabilities at all times. Special equipment and communication devices are available upon request for our patients with visual, hearing, speech, and physical impairments.
In addition, arrangements can be made for verbal or sign language interpreters if needed to communicate between healthcare providers and the patient and family.
Please tell your nurse if any additional accommodations related to your disability or impairments are necessary to make your stay more comfortable.
Patients with Special Cultural, Religious, or Dietary Practices
The hospital staff respects the beliefs, attitudes, and cultural lifestyles of our patients. We ask that you let us know any special needs you might have or practices that you follow. The staff will make every effort to honor your requests as long as it does not interfere with your treatment.
For more information, call the resource desk at 641-236-2922.
Patients that are hearing impaired.
GRMC provides accommodations for patients and guests with disabilities. For hearing impaired, we offer TTY (text telephone) capabilities. Below are the instructions for using this equipment.
For TTY Users
A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech impaired uses a TTY to type his/her conversation to a Communication Assistant (CA), who then reads the typed conversation to a hearing person. The CA relays the hearing person's spoken words by typing them back to the TTY user.
- Dial 711 or 1-800-735-2942.
- Relay Iowa will answer Relay Iowa CA #_____, "F" or "M" (for CA gender) and "NUMBER PLS GA" ("GA" denotes 'go ahead').
- Type in the area code and telephone number you wish to call and then type "GA."
- The CA will dial the number and relay the conversation to and from your TTY. Type in "GA" at the end of each message.
For Voice Users
Standard telephone users can easily initiate calls to TTY users. The CA types the hearing person's spoken words to the TTY user and reads back the typed replies.
- Dial 711 or 1-800-735-2943.
- You will hear, "Relay Iowa CA (number).
Area Code and Number to Call Please. - Give the CA the area code and telephone number you wish to call and any further instructions.
- The CA will process your call, relaying exactly what the TTY user is typing. The CA will relay what you say back to the TTY user (Be sure to talk directly to your caller, avoid saying "tell him" or "tell her," and say "Go Ahead" at the end of your response).
For Voice Carryover Users
Voice Carryover (VCO) allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to speak directly to a hearing person. When the hearing person speaks to you, a Communication Assistant will serve as your "ears" and type everything said to you on a TTY or text display.
- Dial 711 or 1-800-735-2942. VCO Direct: 1-800-735-4313
- Relay Iowa will answer with the CA's individual ID number, "F" or "M" (for CA gender) and "VCO ON" (this will show connection after you request an automatic VCO from your line to CA.
- You will speak directly to the hearing person. The CA will not repeat what you say, but only type to you what the hearing person says. You both need to say "GA" or "go ahead" at the end of your response.
TTY Machine Instructions
Calling Protocol
Please have the telephone number that you wish to call ready in advance. Then give the phone number you are calling to. Voice users should speak clearly and at a moderate speed. Direct your conversation to the party you are calling as if the Communication Assistant (CA) were absent.
Correct: Hello, Jim. The meeting is at two this afternoon. Can you come? Go ahead.
Incorrect: Hello, Communication Assistant. Please tell Jim the meeting is at two this afternoon. Can he come? Go Ahead.
The CA is required to relay everything that you type or speak, and will also relay all background noises. For example, a fire alarm ringing in the background will be relayed.