Page 57 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites

Because of differences in grammar and syntax,
the interpreter may have to wait until the end of
the sentence before beginning to interpret. Do
pause after one or two sentences to allow the
interpreter to speak.

When you need further information, or need to
clarify what the patient has said, clearly tell the
interpreter what you want asked of the patient.
Although you may ask the interpreter to add his
or her opinion of what the patient really meant,
try to get as close as possible to the patient's
actual words and intent.

The Joint Commission Patient Centered
Communication standards expect the
communication of health care information
related to patient care to be in the patient’s
preferred language by staff who are deemed
competent in that language.
Bilingual clinical staff in each clinical area will be
deemed competent in interpreting health care
information in Spanish or Creole. Train-the-
trainer staff are available on each unit to test
new employees.

Refer to the intranet
Diversity & Inclusion
website for the current
listing of qualified
interpreters by entity.