What is your opinion on adding more Spanish-friendly tools to the ER?

KayRN910 · May 18, 2011

Ah, I think that would be awesome. I actually have an app on my phone that will translate stuff for me, because it is sooo hard to get information out of the spanish speaking community if you dont speak a lick of it!

One thing that would be helpful a paper of common questions we ask in triage and some sort of way they can answer (maybe circle what applies?) Even if they have a child there that can speak, they dont always understand "Do you have any medical problems or any past medical history" and I feel uncomforable asking "when was your last period" for a 9 year old to translate.

I think the spanish classes is a good idea. Have it geared toward healthcare questions and answers. That would be awesome.

Good thinking!! That is something I wish I had more resources for - being able to communicate to my spanish speaking patients!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 18, 2011

The only issue I have found locally is that many (not all) of the Spanish speaking patients are illiterate in both English and Spanish. So having a written list of questions may not illicit an accurate response either. I have a friend who speaks French, Spanish, Italian, and English fluently. There was an incident where a child (teen) was trying to to translate information but clearly it was beyond her comprehension. I knew enough Spanish that the message was not a proper translation. My friend (who teaches HS languages and is a certified translator) said that many of the illiterate in Spanish (and English) she has encountered didn't even use traditional language. They had a lot of slang terms that likely inhibited literacy. (not just Spain Spanish vs. Mexican Spanish, more like "street slang") So a bilingual triage form or list of questions/responses might not be useful in these situations.

The solution, I'm not sure. While a certified medical translator may be able to translate the required information, comprehension seems to still be an issue. (At least a medical translator vs. language translator knows when to clarify and not to edit like a family member might do)

I think medical Spanish classes would be a great idea. If nothing else the staff would know the proper words. Bilingual picture boards may work also (especially if a patient whose primary language is Spanish develops aphasia) for multiple situations. Even with children who may be bilingual but Spanish is primary, I know the pictorial pain scale would also be useful.

24-hour translation services would not be practical and could be cost prohibitive. Many facilities have access to the AT&T language line which is good too. Perhaps an online language service could be useful. With current technology it's not unrealistic to have an online program that not only shows the written translation but can verbalize the pronunciation. (there are a couple of iPad/iPhone/iPod touch applications that have written/verbal translations)

As far as other languages, it would be relative to the local area. Near my grandmother there are some Spanish speaking locals, but more speak Czech, Polish, and Russian. (in other words you need to know your population).

mindlor · May 18, 2011

The solution is to seal the border and enforce immigration laws

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · May 18, 2011

any tool that can enhance our ability to properly care for our patients is amazing. one of the hospitals i did clinicals at this last semester has a computer system, i forgot the name of it. anyhow, you bring the laptop into the patients room, and dial a translator service to video chat. that way the patient and translator see each other, and can talk to each other easily. it's pretty awesome and has numerous languages available.

ErinS, BSN, RN · May 18, 2011

This is a great idea for a change project. I was thinking just today about how little spanish resources are out there. The patient I was working with today was a 7 year old, and she is bilingual, but her mom can only speak limited english, not medical english. And we are having her sign forms in english, and giving her education information in english. Anyways, not sure what the solution is, but I think a translator on staff is helpful.

reussir1 · May 18, 2011

The solution is to seal the border and enforce immigration laws

Because GOD FORBID anyone who does not speak English would get sick. Since they broke the law by entering the country illegally, let's deny care to ALL law-breakers. Ran a red light? Hope that MI works itself out. Leave your politics at home :uhoh3:

LongislandRN23 · May 18, 2011

Absolutely not. Why should we accomodate those who come to this country and do not speak the language? (many of them choose not to learn the language at all)

If these "tools" will help them speak English than I am all for it.

If these "tools" accomodate them and their native language than no they should make an effort to learn the language of the land.

P.S. - My parents are immigrants and struggled everyday to learn English and adapt to the new land. My parents natively speak Hebrew and Arabic. If my parents can learn to speak and read English fluently than so can anyone else who speaks Spanish as their first tongue.

P.S.S My first language was Spanish ( live in nanny). I wish I could speak it today, but I am happy knowing some Hebrew.

P.S.S.S. If I (and everyone else probably) were to relocate in France - I would have to learn French right? Or lets say Italy I would learn Italian and Mexico I would learn Spanish- Just sayin...

reussir1 · May 18, 2011

We have a large (>90%) Hispanic population where I am. I don't speak Spanish. I really don't care about educating them to speak English as long as I can find out what's wrong. Personal beliefs about whether or not they should learn to speak English are not relevant in this situation.

EmergencyNrse · May 18, 2011

Because GOD FORBID anyone who does not speak English would get sick. Since they broke the law by entering the country illegally, let's deny care to ALL law-breakers. Ran a red light? Hope that MI works itself out. Leave your politics at home

I don't see that as cut and dry here. Why Spanish? How about French, Italian and German?

Hell, why not an entire tractor trailer full of paperwork for all languages???

Don't ya' think it could get a little ridiculous?

I'm in South Sacramento right now where there are over 50 different languages and dialects. Each no better than the other. It's not political to say that you should have a basic knowledge of English language to be running around in the good ole' USA. It's the language spoken here.

We do what we can. We have language lines to assist in interpreting for patients. If a document needs translated then we take it to the next step from interpreter to translator.(There's a difference). In communities where there is a heavy Hispanic population I have seen documents provided in Spanish. Okay fine but where to draw the line? Hello, this is America. English is spoken here...

mindlor · May 18, 2011

Dont get me wrong folks. I love people. All people regardless of what lannguage they speak. However, if the USA were properly enforcing immigration laws many non-English speakers would not be here.

And lets face it, what 90 percent of the time when you need a translator it is to speak Spanish yes?

100 years from now when they are teaching the kids their history one of the lessons will be how the greatest nation in the world was conqured without one bullet being fired.

Soon, Hispanics, God Love them, will be the majority in this country, for right or wrong.

Trauma Columnist · May 18, 2011

Ok back to the subject at hand which is what tips/tools can be used for non-English speaking pts?

Lets help the OP out please.