Medical device manufacturers often operate in multiple markets across the globe, which means their customers and business associates don’t always speak English. The solution seems simple: find a translator. However, because the literature used to describe the use of medical devices tends to be highly technical, that seemingly simple task isn’t always easy.
Precision and accuracy are very important when it comes to medical device usage instructions, warnings, and other associated literature. Translators need to have not just a wealth of knowledge regarding medical terminology in both languages but also an awareness of regulatory issues. Medical device manufacturers such as vascular medical device companies can read on to find out why it’s so important to hire professional translation services that are capable of ensuring precision and accuracy without reducing turnaround times.
Protecting Users
Even a seemingly minor flaw in the translation of a medical device’s usage instructions or warnings can lead to dire consequences for users. Professional translation services like International Language Services avoid this issue in multiple ways. First, professional translation services hire only highly experienced translators who are fluent in both languages, but they don’t stop there. They also perform rigorous quality assurance checks before releasing translated materials to clients to ensure accuracy and precision.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
A medical device manufacturer’s top priority should always be protecting users, regardless of what language they speak. However, regulatory compliance is an issue that cannot be ignored. There are both basic principles that must be followed regarding how the devices and their uses are described and specific laws that govern marketing and other aspects of sales in each target country. Finding a translation service that works with local experts who understand not just the letter of the law regarding domestic and international regulations but also the importance of full compliance can help manufacturers stay out of expensive legal trouble.
Getting the Context Right
For experienced translators, the context of a word can be as important as the word itself, especially in technical translations. There are many terms used in medical device literature that are similar to or even the same as other common words but have very different meanings. A translator without a medical background may not understand the context correctly, leading to potentially costly or even deadly errors. Professional translation services hire experts in the field that have medical knowledge as well as multilingual skills.
Understanding Abbreviations and Symbols
Many medical experts, including those working in the device research and manufacturing fields, use shorthand abbreviations and/or symbols when they write out comments and recommendations. These symbols and abbreviations are often completely incomprehensible to non-technical translators, even when they’re fluent in the language. Medical device translation requires more paraphrasing and localization than some translation processes and only professionals should be trusted to get them right.
Trust the Experts
There are some cases where it’s fine to hire amateur translators, or even to use AI-assisted translation services. However, translating medical device literature is different. It requires a level of precision, accuracy, and knowledge of not just both languages but also medical terminology and local laws.
Manufacturers can’t afford to place the safety of their products’ users and the future of the company’s reputation in the hands of people who don’t have dedicated industry experience. Instead, trust the experts to get every detail right.
