Question

Federal law requires that all patients have access to effective communication, regardless of language or communication barriers. Which 3 of the following situations would require a certified interpreter?

1) A 22-year-old deaf patient presents in the emergency room with her mother, who is fluent in American Sign Language.
2) A Spanish speaking only patient is being transported from the emergency room to radiology and no one on staff speaks Spanish.
3) A patient who speaks only Vietnamese is being given discharge instructions without a family member present.
4) A radiographer must obtain informed consent from a patient, but only speaks a little of the patient's preferred language.

Answer 1

Certified interpreters are required in healthcare when patients face language barriers, such as with a Spanish-speaking patient going to radiology, a Vietnamese-speaking patient receiving discharge instructions alone, and when obtaining informed consent from a patient in a language not fully spoken by the radiographer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Federal law mandates that patients have the right to effective communication in healthcare settings, which may necessitate the use of certified interpreters in certain situations to ensure comprehension and informed consent. The three situations from the provided options that would require a certified interpreter are:

1. A Spanish speaking only patient is being transported from the emergency room to radiology and no one on staff speaks Spanish.
2. A patient who speaks only Vietnamese is being given discharge instructions without a family member present.
3. A radiographer must obtain informed consent from a patient, but only speaks a little of the patient's preferred language.

These scenarios involve critical stages of patient care where clear understanding is paramount, be it for safety during transport, comprehending discharge instructions, or providing informed consent for a radiology procedure.