Lost in Translation

At the conclusion of a patient’s hospitalization the Registered Nurse (RN) will review all discharge instructions in the patients room in their preferred language. Plan time for the discharge and facilitate a calm quiet environment, such as the patient’s room with the door closed, if possible. Get the discharge instructions printed out in their preferred language and a set for yourself in English would be best so you are able to review the instructions line by line with them. When the patients medical team, such as but not limited to, medical doctors, pharmacists, physical therapists, and social work have completed their parts of the discharge planning then the RN can review the instructions for their own understanding. The RN can have the patient’s medications ready or know where the patient can get them when leaving the facility. When ready to present the instructions to the patient inform your charge nurse or break nurse that you are going to be discharging a patient with translation so they may tend to your other patients needs. Conduct the discharge by selected option via phone or in person translator and be attentive to the patient and to remember basic communication skills and be aware of your non-verbal communication as well. Always conclude with them asking questions and be sure to ask them questions of understanding in open ended format to ensure their understanding of the teaching