VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1
Jaime Ortiz, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
OBTAINING ANESTHESIA CONSENT FROM OUR SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS-
¿HABLAS ESPAÑOL ?
On January 16, 2012, after changes to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel, the use of a new written anesthesia consent form became a requirement for all procedures involving anesthesia in the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Health State Services’ website has the current anesthesia consent form available in English and Spanish at the following link:http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/facilities/medical-disclosure/forms.aspx
The 2013 United States census figures found that 38% of the population of Texas describes themselves as Hispanic or Latino. This compares to 17% for United States as a whole. The only state with a higher percentage is New Mexico, with 46%1. At Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston 56.7% of patients describe themselves as Hispanic. The vast majority of Hispanic patients either prefer Spanish to communicate or only understand and speak Spanish, posing a challenge to healthcare workers with limited knowledge of the language.
The 2013 United States census figures found that 38% of the population of Texas describes themselves as Hispanic or Latino. This compares to 17% for United States as a whole. The only state with a higher percentage is New Mexico, with 46%1. At Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston 56.7% of patients describe themselves as Hispanic. The vast majority of Hispanic patients either prefer Spanish to communicate or only understand and speak Spanish, posing a challenge to healthcare workers with limited knowledge of the language.
There is no question that the best way to communicate properly with a patient who does not speak your language and obtain written informed consent is via use of a certified translator in person or via phone using translation services. Most hospitals in Texas have employed or contract with Spanish translators, which are readily available, and there is usually perioperative staff members who can assist with translation when needed. However, this is not always available at all times and sometimes there are more patients than there are translators available, especially at the start of the day when everyone wants to get their cases started simultaneously.
The preoperative anesthesia clinic visit is the perfect time to communicate with the patient with the use of a translator. In this setting there is often more time to answer all of the patients’ questions and concerns in a language that they are comfortable. The consent form contains a list of risks associated with each type of anesthetic technique that needs to be communicated with each patient before obtaining their signature. It is important to spend time detailing additional risks associated with procedures such as an epidural or a peripheral nerve block being placed for postoperative pain management.
