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Language Access, Communication Accommodations, and Effective Communication

Requires the Agency to find out at referral how each patient communicates, to provide qualified interpreters, translated documents, and auxiliary aids at no cost, to avoid using family members and children as interpreters, to assign staff who can communicate with the patient, and to document in the record the steps taken so that every patient receives all required information.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
DC-HH-PR-04
Version
1.0
Main rule
22-B DCMR §3912.6
Library
Washington, DC home health · 58 policies
Category
Client rights
Sections
19

In short

  • Check the record alert for the patient’s language and communication needs before every visit.
  • Use a qualified interpreter for consent, teaching, care plans, and any important talk. Interpreters are free for the patient.
  • Do not use family members or children as interpreters, except for a short time in an emergency until a qualified interpreter is reached.
  • Read documents aloud, use large print, or use sign language interpreters when the patient needs them. Check understanding with teach-back.
  • Write down every time you used an interpreter or aid: date, what was explained, and the interpreter’s name or ID.

What's inside

19 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (22-B DCMR §3912.6)
  • 5. Identifying Communication Needs
  • 6. Spoken Language Interpreters
  • 7. Written Translations
  • 8. Patients Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Have Low Vision or a Speech Disability
  • 9. Patients Who Cannot Read or Have Cognitive Impairment
  • 10. Assigning Staff Who Can Communicate
  • 11. Documenting the Steps Taken
  • 12. Responsibilities
  • 13. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 14. Staff Training
  • 15. References
  • 16. Related Policies and Forms
  • 17. Approval
  • 18. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • How do you find out a patient’s preferred language and communication needs? Show me where it is recorded.
  • This patient speaks limited English. Show me how the rights and the plan of care were explained, and by whom.

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