Tips and Tricks: Language Barriers

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 10, 2011

use an interpreter! This is especially needed for consents or anything, like care plan, that needs to be conveyed in a way the patient TRULY understands. Be careful about using staff to interpret. Could be HIPAA violation. You might be able to find phrase books for other languages that will help with the small stuff, like "do you need to go to the bathroom"? Do not depend on family. They may not give the patient's true response.

JDZ344 · Nov 10, 2011

We use interpreters.

umcRN, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2011

Interpreters! However I have found the "Google translator" app on my phone useful in a pinch! I had a family once that was clearly overly distraught that their infant daughter was not being fed one morning (she was scheduled for a 10am surgery) and I was able to use the app to explain she could not eat before the surgery but had fluids in an IV so she would not get dehydrated. This satisfied them until the interpreter came.

A parent of one of my patients was the one to initially show me how to use the app :-)

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 11, 2011

As well as avoiding using staff members as interpreters, it is also wise to avoid using family members. Our facility now requires that an outside interpreter be hired, rather than rely on staff or family members.

Family members can occasionally manipulate the instructions, omit any that might cause them embarrassment to relay to the patient (think discharge instructions regarding resumption of sexual intercourse, for example), or simply not be as fluent in English as they might want their family to believe.

bookwormom · Nov 11, 2011

Many years ago I worked in a facility which cared for children from other countries at times. I found that "poo poo" and "pee pee" were sometimes understood by little children from different backgrounds. I wonder if anyone else has found this to be so? (I agree that having an interpreter is best, but sometimes you need to act quickly.)

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2011

there is a national certification for medical interpreters, and they are scrupulous about translating exactly, e.g., when the patient says in his native language, "i had pain when i went wee," the interpreter does not say, "he says he had pain when he urinated." she says, "i had pain when i went wee." it's very helpful; you have the confidence that you're really getting the best communication when you use someone like that.

also, even hospital workers, especially those who may not have a high education level but get pulled in to translate a creole or obscure african dialect, may not have the vocabulary in english or their native language to translate your teaching or your questions.

itsmejuli · Nov 11, 2011

I've had several patients with whom I've had a language barrier. I communicate with them through hand signals and facial expressions. I also get the family to make up a translation card with the basics such as "I have pain" etc.

I had a laugh last night. One of my Vietnamese LOLs had "I need a pedicure" on her translation card.

allnurses Guide · Nov 11, 2011

For anything other than simple requests you will need an interpreter. I think we should know the meaning of words for things pertaining to immediate needs.

When I was a student many scores ago and before I learned pretty passable Spanish there was a middle-aged man that kept repeating "tengo que urinar" through a very pained expression - I didn't know what it meant at the time -- so I went to find his nurse. (he was not my assigned patient) For some reason it's always bothered me that I didn't know what he was asking for, and that he must've been in pain. Hindsight- 20/20 but still . .:-(