bcred

We have 4 hospitals in border areas. English is the required language unless the patient is a Spanish speaker only. We have a mix of Spanish, Tagalog, Nigerian and Indian dialect speakers. English is the only common language. Our Nursing leadership enforces the rule and will also inform physicians that we speak only English when at the Team station or addressing facility personnel. We reinforce the need to speak English with the Department managers on a regular basis so as not to be rude to other employees and to ensure accurate communications. We do use counseling to address the issue for those who do not comply with the requirement. As with all things, it starts with the facility's leadership and works its way down.

We work with a physician who insists on conveying orders through his office MA in one of our Texas facilities. Several nurses are refusing to take the orders. The Texas BNE stated they no longer address this issue but leave it to the hospital's standard of practice. The Medical Board referred to the Administrative code which also does not address the issue either. Other facilities in the area do accept his orders, but have no written standard. Looking for a standard of practice, or information that addresses this issue.