Medical Questions in Sign Language

Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter 1. Make contact with the Sign Language Interpreter through OnePlace 2. Advise your patient / patient’s support person of time frame for arrival of interpreter 3. Use this resource to commence communication with your patient before the interpreter arrives

Resource designed by: (Mrs) Cheryl Shearer Quality & Patient Safety Co-ordinator Whakatane Site based Ph: 07 3060 890 Cheryl.shearer@bopdhb.govt.nz

Resource shared with:

Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Medical terminology / Comment for patient Asthma: Do you often have asthma attacks?

New Zealand Sign Language for Patient

Bleeding: You are bleeding; we need to attend to that.

Blood pressure: We need to take your blood pressure.

Blood test: You need to have a blood test. It may take some time to get the results back.

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Brain: We think you might have a head injury. We need to observe you for a while to ensure you are safe.

Bruise: How did you get the bruise/s?

Did you have an accident?

Chest: Your chest does not sound healthy.

You may need an x-ray.

Communication: What is the best way we can communicate with you while we wait for the interpreter?

Through family / friends / signing the alphabet?

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Contact: Who can we contact for you?

Do you have an emergency contact person?

Cough: Do you have a cough?

Please cough while I check your chest for you.

Cut on body / Scar: How did you get that cut/scar on your (body part)?

Disability: I see you have a disability. What can we do for you to ensure your patient journey is a safe one?

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Faint, pass out: You have fainted / passed out. We need to examine you to find the cause.

Fever: How long have you had this fever?

Do you also feel sick (nausea)?

Finger-spelling (refer to separate sheet at end) Hard of hearing: Do you need your hearing aids all the time or just some of the time?

Heart attack: It looks like you (or the other person) have had a heart attack.

We need to admit you (other person) to the hospital for tests.

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Heartbeat: Your heart rate is very fast / very slow. We need you to stay here so we can do some tests.

Hospital (need to stay): Having finished our examination, we now see that you need to be admitted to the hospital.

Joint (bones): How do your joints feel? Do you have any pain and where?

Medical View: My medical view is that you ‌

Mental Health: I see you have previously been involved with our Mental Health Service. Do you think you might need their input today?

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Prescription: Here is your prescription. You will need to get it filled today. You must take the medication as indicated on the packaging.

Pain, ache, sore, throb: Do you have any pain? How bad is it at the moment?

 No pain  Very little  Comes and goes a bit  Nagging ache  Pain is there all the time Painful, hurting: Is that painful? Am I hurting you when I do this?

Pulled a muscle: We think you have pulled a muscle in your _______.

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Sneeze: You seem to have a nasty cold / bug which is causing you to sneeze.

Stroke: We are concerned that you (or the other person) may have had a stroke. We need to start some tests to determine the best care for you / (name).

Thermometer: I need to take your temperature.

Can I have access to your ear please?

Tests / examination: You need to undergo some tests so you will need to be admitted to the Hospital, at least overnight.

I need to examine you now. Do you wish your support person to stay with you?

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

Training, education: These staff members are training.

Do you have any objection to them remaining here while I examine you and discuss your care with my staff?

Wash Hands: I just need to wash my hands before we start.

I need you to wash your hands before we start.

X-ray: You are going to need an x-ray. An orderly will come and take you to the Radiology Department. Do you want your support person to accompany you?

They are welcome to go with you but they won’t be able to enter the x-ray room with you.

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Communication with Patient / Support Person while awaiting NZSL – Sign Language Interpreter

FINGER – SPELLING A

B Open

B Closed

C Half

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P Open

P Closed

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

C Full

Z

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