Question

What if the patient didn't speak English and you were having trouble finding a qualified interpreter? How might this impact your ability to discharge the patient safely? What about the timeframe and cost?

Answer 1

If the patient is unable to speak English and we were having trouble finding a qualified interpreter, this might this impact our ability to discharge the patient safely as the final checklist of discharge describes the processes necessary for a safe and optimal discharge having the recommended timeline of when to complete each step, starting from the first day of admission. The checklist domains include;

(1) Indication for hospitalization,

(2) Primary care,

(3) Medication safety,

(4) Follow?up plans,

(5) Home?care referral,

(6) Communication with outpatient providers, and

(7) Patient education.

Without proper communication, it will be very difficult and time-consuming to make this checklist and if one commits mistakes it will affect the health of the patient leading to an economic burden