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UTICA, N.Y. -- St. Elizabeth's in Utica says until recently, they had a hard time treating non-English speaking patients, but new technology is now helping them change that.

Their doctors are now using Internet web chats to connect with interpreters. Hospital officials say they treat 50 to 100 patients a day who need interpretation, and limited access to certain language services was hampering their ability to care for patients.

"This is especially good with our hearing impaired patients, because they are quite difficult to get on an emergency basis. Some of our interpreters have to come from Syracuse, which it may take two or three hours for them to actually get here," St. Elizabeth's Language and Special Projects Coordinator Sergey Germanovich said.

The services will be available at the St. Elizabeth's emergency room, hospital and family medicine center 24 hours a day.