November 26, 2007 -- The medical industry's struggle to deal with critical escalation of non-English speaking patients is suffering without a timely resolution. In recent years recommendations by the Joint Commission and federal legislature governing minority concerns have sought to relieve the issue by requiring interpreter programs at the acute care hospital level. But results aren't happening fast enough for many patients, or Nancy Erman, RN, MPA, BA, AS/AA, CCM, CEES, a nurse based in California.
Language miscommunication can be deadly. Beginning with her Spanish-speaking only patients, Erman is doing something about it with The Medical Professionals' Guidebook to the History and Physical in English and Spanish ($99.95). It meets Joint Commission and HIPPA requirements, and is a boon to group practices, small clinics, nursing homes, and other medical facilities unable to afford on-staff interpreters, or high-dollar telephone translation services. "Its ease of use and comprehensive English/Spanish translations is especially vital," says Erman, a nurse case manager. Performing patient assessments in the field, she knows the value of immediate and accurate communication.
Sam Maywood, M.D., Qualified Medical Examiner for the State of California, sees it as, "THE solution for Spanish-speaking patients. This medical guidebook simplifies a huge problem for the medical community," he said, when introduced to it at a recent San Diego medical symposium.
The guidebook, available by request through most major book stores and Golden West Publishers, includes three complete sets of medical history charts in an 8 1/2 x 11 inch binder format, making it effective as a workbook or English/Spanish reference manual. With publicized horror stories of critical misdiagnoses causing unnecessary pain to patients, and malpractice suits adding to medical facility costs, the bilingual guidebook offers a valuable option for hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, who provide direct patient care.
Example:
"Do you now have or have you ever had any of the following conditions?"
"¿Tiene o tuvo alguna vez alguna de las siguientes afecciones?"
An English/Spanish list follows, to which the non-English speaking patient can point and identify conditions. Used in reverse, the English-speaking only medical attendant can point to a question or statement that appears in both languages, to clarify a condition or response.
The Medical Professionals' Guidebook to the History and Physical in English and Spanish is beneficial not only in a non-English speaking situation, but for circumstances when a patient is not able to speak. It is the latest in the Just Point and Communicate bilingual series from Golden West Publishers in Phoenix, Arizona. Other languages and industries, and the ability to create customized editions are special features of the series.
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Established in 1974, Golden West Publishers is owned by Bobbi Fischer, RN, MA, COO, and her husband, Bruce, CEO. This article may be reprinted in its entirety, with notification to the publisher. For more details, requests for author interviews, review copies, and available images, call Bobbi Fischer, or Victoria Drake, Marketing Director, 800.658.5830 (nationwide) or 602.265.4392.
