SDSU Reduce Malpractice Discussion Reply

I need someone to respond to the following student discussion reply which I have provided below. Also, below the student discussion reply I have provided the original discussion prompt that the reply was referring to. I have provided an example of how to reply to a student to give you an idea of how to respond to a student discussion reply. In your responses to your peers, consider whether you agree with the guidelines they consider to be most important. Explain why or why not. Remember to use the most recent APA guidelines for your citations and references.

Student Reply That Needs to Be Responded to:

ruth:

There are several risks to not providing medical information in a patient’s preferred language. The first is that a patient cannot make informed decisions about their medical care. Informed consent means that the patient has sufficient information and understanding to make a decision about their care. Informed consent has four elements: information disclosure, competence, comprehension, and voluntariness. If a patient is given information in a language they are not comfortable in, then they may not be able to fully comprehend the risks and dangers. It is unethical to perform any medical procedure on a patient that does not fully understand the risks of the procedure or risks of not wanting medical treatment. Another risk is that if follow up is given in a language a patient may not be comfortable in that they may not come back for follow up appointments. Follow-up appointments are crucial to keep up with patient care and ensure that everything is healing properly and as expected. If patients are not coming back for follow-ups, there is a risk that the healing process could be delayed. A third risk is that if patients are given wound care instructions in a language they may not be comfortable in, then there is a chance that they do not take care of their wounds properly. This could result in poor wound healing or worse the need for second procedures. It is crucial that patients have all the information necessary to take care of their wounds and that can only happen if they are able to communicate comfortably. Another risk is that patients are not comfortable being honest if they feel they are not understood. “Logically, language barriers reduce patient satisfaction and create an uncomfortable environment that discourages patients from sharing important medical information. Research has shown that when providers can’t communicate with patients in their preferred language, those patients often feel judged, vulnerable, disrespected and helpless about their care.” (Laing, 2022) Using a language that a patient is comfortable with can also help in recording patient history and complaints. “Healthcare providers only have a limited window of time to capture a patient’s medical history, family history and symptoms and then develop a treatment plan. A language barrier shrinks that time window.” (Laing, 2022) Using a language that a patient is comfortable with helps save time and eliminate diagnoses. It is important to communicate with patients in language they are familiar with so an accurate history can be taken, informed consent can be granted, and important follow up/wound care information can be followed. Patients feel more comfortable if they can be understood in their own language. Patients also feel less judgement and are more open if their provider can communicate with them how they best understand. Some guidelines for providing this health information communication are first to ask the patient what language they prefer to speak and write in. There are several acceptable language assistance services to help in translating medical information. “Bilingual clinicians or staff members whose proficiency has been confirmed can communicate directly with patients in their preferred language, staff who are trained as interpreters, on-site trained medical interpreters, and telephone or video medical interpreter services. Make sure you can access necessary equipment (e.g., dual handset phones) in all areas where patients interact with staff.” (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2023) These are all important tools that can help bridge the language barrier for patients. If possible, interpretation services should be planned in advance for patient appointments. Another tool that is helpful is having written medical information/pamphlets in multiple languages so patients can read and understand the information given in their preferred language. It is important to note that staff who are not trained should not be used to translate for patients. Minors and family members should not be used either for translation purposes because it violates patient privacy. It is crucial to have interpretation services available so patients can be informed about their medical care and feel comfortable so they continue to seek treatment.

References
Laing, D. (2022, September 15). How preferred language communication improves care and the patient experience. Phreesia. https://www.phreesia.com/healthcare-providers-leverage-technology-communicate-patients-preferred-language-covid19/

Original Discussion Prompt:

Healthcare regulations require that when an individual does not speak English, their medical information about treatment must be provided in their preferred language. Regulations specifically state that neither the family nor staff can act as an interpreter unless they are certified to do so. For example, the physician must explain an impending surgery in the patient’s language so the patient can fully comprehend the treatment plan.

Another example is when a nurse discharges a patient with a complex wound, care instructions must be given in that patient’s preferred language.

The risk manager has determined that both physicians and staff are not utilizing the new online interpretation system purchased by the hospital, which is readily available in every room. The risk manager’s goal is to explain why using the interpretation system is important for patient safety and prevention of malpractice.

Develop an initial post from the perspective of the risk manager that explains the risk of not providing medical information in an individual’s preferred language and the guidelines for providing this health information communication.

Example of How to Respond to a Student Discussion Reply

Hi Nita,

I like how you discuss both the teacher observing the student and the student observing their own art. You bring up excellent points about the teachers observing the children, because it does help the teacher to better communicate with the children and understand them better. As teachers, it is very important to nurture students, particularly if they are very young, I think, because it allows them to better understand the needs of the student, and how to work with them. Paying attention to what the student is drawing, and seeing how the student reacts to their own work can improve the teachers’ understanding.

Expressing feelings in this discussion board reply examples is a major component of growing up. The more a student is able to express those feelings, the more they can understand them. I liked reading about what you said on this topic, and I agree that the art is a very useful tool that students can learn to express their feelings effectively. If they do not express them, they are keeping them inside, and drawing can become a form of counseling for them. In my opinion, I think the drawing can be particularly useful for many students who are quiet. These students do not often express themselves verbally, and drawing can be a way for them to understand their feelings, and to release some pent up sadness of hostile feelings, for example. I think this form of therapy sticks with many people throughout life, and they continue to use drawing as a coping mechanism.

Thanks,
Steven