On Call Doctors and Police Officers

[Cheri]

Every time I go in an emergencies room at the hospital, Doctors don't even know how to sign or communicate with me, just recently I went to the emergency room, I informed the doctor that I'm deaf, He couldn't communicate with me, because of the fact he doesn't even know how to talk correctly for me to read his lips, I repeatedly told him that I could not understand his lip reading, He rolled his eyes at me repeatedly and decide to not communicate with me all together. I felt like I was left out of the process of knowledge of what's going on with my health. He wrote everything down, But heck his handwriting was even worst that I could not understand his hand writing. The issues are lack of communication, between doctor and paitent. The doctor's directness comes off as seeming rude, refusing to communicate with me.

Even through ADA says the hospital must provide a qualified interpreter, How come not all hospital are aware of ADA law? They act like they are not familiar with ADA law, and also stated that they could not afford an interpreter. But what about my rights?

If they are Physicians, they should be able to know signs and language to communicate with every individuals. And I also believe that Police Officers should be able to communicate with every individuals too instead of waiting on an interpreter for the party in need. Those are the two are very important because they are mostly there for us all the time.

What do you think?

 

[Reba]

I think that the hospital should obey the ADA requirements and provide you with an interpreter as quickly as possible. They can't use the excuse that they "can't afford it."

Until the terp arrives, they should try note writing or using a keyboard for communication. Maybe the hospital should invest in a video relay system.

I don't agree that all doctors and police should know sign language. Maybe they could know a few "emergency" signs, but that is not a substitute for a qualified interpreter. There is much more to the interpreting process than just knowing "signs." There are ethical and legal issues involved, and much opportunity for misunderstanding to occur. Also, if the hospital staff "knows" signs, they will use that for even more excuse to not hire real interpreters.

I think each hospital or medical training facility should at least provide a workshop about the communication needs of the Deaf and HoH, and about ADA rights and responsibilities.

 

[Cheri]

I don't agree that all doctors and police should know sign language. Maybe they could know a few "emergency" signs, but that is not a substitute for a qualified interpreter. There is much more to the interpreting process than just knowing "signs." There are ethical and legal issues involved, and much opportunity for misunderstanding to occur. Also, if the hospital staff "knows" signs, they will use that for even more excuse to not hire real interpreters.

What if they have to face a life-threatening situations? Don't they need to know some sign language if not all? I believe they should know most sign language in case there isn't an on call qualified interpreters available? Because we don't need to wait until a trouble strikes which involves a life-threatening situation.

 

[GalaxyAngel]

Extactly.. That what I'm concern about welfare of health issues..

No matter which life threating or non threating.. Still must GET AN INTERPRETER importance for your health comes first than written the paper and pen huge hit misunderstanding...

I've been there and fought them finally accept my rights.. They bring an interpreter in the hospital.. in my small town.. too bad for hospital! Important for Deaf people who living in small town.. there's 60 ppl in my small town.. There have to bring an interpreter and respect the patients as life threating or Life non threating..

You can look up the ADA rights and copy section of ADA LAW.. show the hospital.. They will gluped... IF not do it.. your rights will move on and file complaints againist the hosptial services poorly respect the patients!

Wishes you have good luck!
Don't give up your dig it!

 

[Reba]

What if they have to face a life-threatening situations? Don't they need to know some sign language if not all? I believe they should know most sign language in case there isn't an on call qualified interpreters available? Because we don't need to wait until a trouble strikes which involves a life-threatening situation.

How much sign language knowledge would be enough to deal with a life-threatening situation? How fluent? Should they learn ASL or SEE? What if the staff is not proficient enough in sign language and Deaf culture, and misunderstand the Deaf patient to the extent that they harm the patient instead of helping? Is this a realistic expectation?

Can you give me an example of an emergency life-threatening situation that you experienced where you think the outcome would have been different if the medical staff knew sign language? That would give me a realistic scenario to examine.

As you state, you don't want to wait until trouble strikes. Do you have up-to-date interpreter notification and contact information listed in your medical records, and the records of family members? Do you carry interpreter contact information in your wallet? Have you had a communication needs meeting with your doctor and his staff before a medical emergency pops up? Did you enquire at the hospital about the services they provide before and emergency happened? Have you met with the hospital ombudsman (or equivalent) to consider the possibility of installing a video relay system, and training the staff in its use?

These are just some proactive ideas that might help improve your local medical services.

BTW, I'm not arguing with you. Just tossing around all the possibilities.

 

[Interpretrator]

What if they have to face a life-threatening situations? Don't they need to know some sign language if not all?

The problem with that idea is that in my area, for example, to be fair it would mean doctors would need to know some if not all ASL, Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Armenian, Tagalog, and probably five or ten other languages. It's just not realistic to expect that every professional is going to be fluent in every language they might encounter.

I do agree doctors should be trained in the basics of how to communicate with a deaf person in an emergency, but being fluent in a patient's language is the job of an interpreter (sign or spoken-language), not a doctor. The ideas that Reba has are really good ones. Your concerns are totally valid, so tell the hospital about them! And definitely mention ADA.

Also, one more idea -- if you know you're about to go to the emergency room (meaning you're not in an ambulance), maybe if you or someone else can contact the hospital in advance and let them know you're coming, it would give them enough time to contact their on-call interpreter, and you could get services more quickly.

 

[webexplorer]

I think that a doctor is not responsible to find an interpreter. The only way that I think of his secretary that makes a call for you to get an interpreter. Perhaps, ask a front desk in the front building.

An emergancy is still a problem in the dark age.

I don't like the idea for the video relay system. What if you have to take off your clothes for a physical examination? Isn't that you want the relay to see your doctor's finger poke in your anus.

 

[Reba]

...I don't like the idea for the video relay system. What if you have to take off your clothes for a physical examination? Isn't that you want the relay to see your doctor's finger poke in your anus.

The video camera focuses the person's signing area. Last time I checked, Deafies don't sign with their butts.

 

[Reba]

Also, one more idea -- if you know you're about to go to the emergency room (meaning you're not in an ambulance), maybe if you or someone else can contact the hospital in advance and let them know you're coming, it would give them enough time to contact their on-call interpreter, and you could get services more quickly.

That's a good idea. Maybe the ambulance driver can include that information when he/she calls the hospital dispatcher.

 

[Cousin Vinny]

The video camera focuses the person's signing area. Last time I checked, Deafies don't sign with their butts.

Can't resist... Must post this...

Allow me to introduce you, a truly fine and charming gentleman from South Florida, Ace Ventura, and he's all bottoms up! Perhaps you're well familiar with his quirky way of talking? Thank goodness, his enunciation methods just doesn't translate too well into sign language!

 

[ismi]

Good to know I'm not the only one who thought of Ace. :stupid:

 

[coloravalanche]

I think that a doctor is not responsible to find an interpreter. The only way that I think of his secretary that makes a call for you to get an interpreter. Perhaps, ask a front desk in the front building.

An emergancy is still a problem in the dark age.

I don't like the idea for the video relay system. What if you have to take off your clothes for a physical examination? Isn't that you want the relay to see your doctor's finger poke in your anus.

 

[coloravalanche]

Extactly.. That what I'm concern about welfare of health issues..

No matter which life threating or non threating.. Still must GET AN INTERPRETER importance for your health comes first than written the paper and pen huge hit misunderstanding...

I've been there and fought them finally accept my rights.. They bring an interpreter in the hospital.. in my small town.. too bad for hospital! Important for Deaf people who living in small town.. there's 60 ppl in my small town.. There have to bring an interpreter and respect the patients as life threating or Life non threating..

You can look up the ADA rights and copy section of ADA LAW.. show the hospital.. They will gluped... IF not do it.. your rights will move on and file complaints againist the hosptial services poorly respect the patients!

Wishes you have good luck!
Don't give up your dig it!

P.S. Sorry, off the topic...I like your signature of Rabbit...

 

[coloravalanche]

Every time I go in an emergencies room at the hospital, Doctors don't even know how to sign or communicate with me, just recently I went to the emergency room, I informed the doctor that I'm deaf, He couldn't communicate with me, because of the fact he doesn't even know how to talk correctly for me to read his lips, I repeatedly told him that I could not understand his lip reading, He rolled his eyes at me repeatedly and decide to not communicate with me all together. I felt like I was left out of the process of knowledge of what's going on with my health. He wrote everything down, But heck his handwriting was even worst that I could not understand his hand writing. The issues are lack of communication, between doctor and paitent. The doctor's directness comes off as seeming rude, refusing to communicate with me.

Even through ADA says the hospital must provide a qualified interpreter, How come not all hospital are aware of ADA law? They act like they are not familiar with ADA law, and also stated that they could not afford an interpreter. But what about my rights?

If they are Physicians, they should be able to know signs and language to communicate with every individuals. And I also believe that Police Officers should be able to communicate with every individuals too instead of waiting on an interpreter for the party in need. Those are the two are very important because they are mostly there for us all the time.

What do you think?

Cheri, I understand where you are coming from...I went to the hospital few weeks ago for check up...the female doctor was patient and talked slowly for me and so did the male dr few months ago...

Anyhow, I think it is impossible for all drs and cops to learn sign language but I think they should learn emergency sign languages...

I personally think maybe you could contact ADA Law about what happened or talk with Interpreter Agency...perhaps they could educate the hospital where you went...

Few years ago, When I was at the hospital with my deaf friend...He was frustrated and couldnt communicate with these drs...I forced the secretary to GET the interpreter immeadiately! So, they did!

 

[Angel]

The video camera focuses the person's signing area. Last time I checked, Deafies don't sign with their butts.

LMAO!!! good one Reba!!

 

[sequoias]

Why would doctors be that stupid to know that there's deaf people to talk to? Doctors get paid good and they know BETTER knowing what to do next with deaf patients.

 

[Taylor]

Cheri,
Interpretrator took the words out of my mouth. Everyone on medical staff would have to know every single language that *might* walk through the door and that isn't something that is going to happen. Yes, the hospital should be bound by ADA and should have a terp available if nobody is on staff. What you have described is one of the reasons I am learning sign language. Nobody on our department knows it (terps are available..I'm referring to officers on the street). It would be impossible to have officers fluent in Sign, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Italian, and a variety of other languages (we have people in our community that are from various countries and know little English). I chose to learn sign, but others have chosen to learn Spanish and some other languages.

As Reba pointed out, please point out a situation that is life threatening that could not be brought across to a doctor. There are somewhat international signs that everyone already knows...they just don't know they are signs (such as clutching the chest for a heart attack or grabbing the throat for choking). Other times, there are symptoms that are visible (that knife stuck in the back is a clue ) such as strokes and a variety of other 'signs' that the body gives.

Anything non life threatening can wait for a terp...and I mean that in a respectful way. The last time I was in an ER, the wait was 6 hours before being seen for non life-threatening situations. Inform them immediately that you are deaf and will need a terp...then join the rest of us in the waiting room.

 

[Angel]

Why would doctors be that stupid to know that there's deaf people to talk to? Doctors get paid good and they know BETTER knowing what to do next with deaf patients.

I agree I mean there are going to be patients there in the ER that will not be able to speak english, or not being able to hear or can't even read etc, how are they going to know what the problem is that the patient is having etc? are they going to wait until someone comes in and interpreter for them? and sudden the patient couldn't wait longer and suddenly die? then what are they going to do next?.....


Interpreter don't come in fast, it takes time, they have to call someone up, and whoever is available to come down and interpreter and as Cheri said, what if it was a life threatening, now that's scary and I do see where she is coming from on this but at the same time I think it's unpossible for each doctors or nurses to know sign language or being able to speak serveral languages for those patients that do come in the ER that may be a life threatening situation and that something they do need to think about....

 

[Cheri]

Ok about a life threatening, supposedly someone got stabbed, and the doctor
usual asked a lot of questions, How can a deaf person be able to read lips in an emergency without an interpreter or without the doctor knowing some signs or communication skills.

I have no problem getting an appointment at a regular doctor, or clinic or a local hospital when it's a non-emergency situation, I'm more corner about an emergency room late hours or after hours.

Do you have up-to-date interpreter notification and contact information listed in your medical records, and the records of family members? Do you carry interpreter contact information in your wallet? Have you had a communication needs meeting with your doctor and his staff before a medical emergency pops up? Did you enquire at the hospital about the services they provide before and emergency happened? Have you met with the hospital ombudsman (or equivalent) to consider the possibility of installing a video relay system, and training the staff in its use?

I have different interpreters every time for my appointments, but not for any emergency situation. Reba, My regular doctor is not on staff or on call during after hours, plus my doctor's office is 30 mins away from where I live. If I have an emergency, I have to rush to a local hospital near me. The thing is when I went in an emergency room, they screwed up everything, all because of lack of communication, they gave me the wrong prescription which made it worst for me. I end up in another emergency room 20 mins away from me, with my step-mother who came along with me because she knew that I was having difficulty with the first hospital.

 

[Taylor]

Cheri,
You mentioned coming in and being stabbed. If you come into the ER with a stab wound, they will know how to treat that wound whether you can communicate or not. Again, I'm not saying that a terp should not be called, but life saving treatment can be done with a lack of communication. What happens if that same stabbing patient is brought in but is unconcious...they cannot communicate. They don't wait for the person to wake up but begin life saving treatment regardless if the person is able to communicate because of that emergency. When I went into the hospital, I was not able to communicate at all...yet my life was saved.