Nicole Bauer RN, BSN,

OCN

INCREASING
COMMUNICATION
WITH LIMITEDENGLISH SPEAKING

Language is the
dress of thought.
Samuel Johnson

HOW DO WE INCREASE THE QUALITY AND

EFFICIENCY OF COMMUNICATION WITH OUR
LIMITED-ENGLISH SPEAKING PATIENTS?
Interpreters
Thoughtful assignments
Quick Reference Translation Sheet
Take time. Listen. Ask questions.
Communicate with other departments

WHEN TO USE AN
INTERPRETER?

The limits of my
language are the
limits of my world.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

WHEN TO CALL IN A
CERTIFIED INTERPRETER?
Misunderstand
ings

Conse
nts

New
Diagnos
es

Procedu
res
Im unsure of what
to do!

INTERPRETER ACCESS
How to contact
Phone Interpreter
In-person Interpreter
Interpretive Services
Office

Tips
Remember to
document!
Interpreter need
Use of interpretation.

Interpreter Waiver
form

BASIC NEEDS QUICK REFERENCE

TRANSLATION SHEET

Spanish German
Russian Vietnamese
Cantonese

QUICK REFERENCE
TRANSLATION SHEET FACTS
Data collected on the
11th
floor
Most common requests
staff received included
Reviewed and refined
by numerous nursing
staff and the Patient
Education Committee

Translated into the 5 most

common languages spoken at
UCH: Spanish, German, Russian,
Vietnamese & Cantonese
Created to increase quality and
efficiency of daily
communication with patients
and their families
Does not replace translators

THOUGHTFUL
ASSIGNMENTS

THOUGHTFUL ASSIGNMENTS
Identify limited-English
speaking patients
Notify the Charge Nurse
Check & update the
clipboard at the charge
desk
Review the impressive list
of languages spoken by our
staff on the Sharedrive

Why is it important?
Plan of Care can be
missed, or
misunderstood
Follow-up care, new
diagnoses, discharge
meds
Questions not asked.

TAKE TIME. LISTEN.

Ask open ended
questions
Notice visual cues
Use your resources

nurs
e

DOCUMENTING IN
EPIC

Who remembers
everything about
somebody?
S. Colasanti

DOCUMENTING IN EPIC
What needs documented:
Need for an interpreter
When an interpreter is used
Patient refusal(s)
Usage of waiver form