[kaila]

1. The law requires a translator, at no cost to the patient. The hospital and clinics absorb the cost.
2. Hospital discharge instructions are printed in the language that the patient speaks.
3.Care managers are following patients after discharge, with clinics and hospitals receiving no reimbursement for this service. How many industries do work for free? It may reduce readmits, but hospitals are getting paid less and less each year, so there is no net gain.
4.I am sorry that patients may be afraid, but that is an impossible task to overcome. we are nice, but fear is fear.
5. Nursing is one of the hardest careers around. I am sure when people are abusive in other industries, you can drop them as customers. We are stuck with them. And lets not forget the cardiologist that just got shot in Boston. That is happening more frequently. Not to mention the assaults that medical staff have to deal with daily.
6. Who would you train to explain things to patients, and who would pay for it? That would have to be someone with training, probably a nurse or physician, and you say patients are afraid of them.
I live in Seattle- Go Hawks!!

[Vermont Lt]

Well, I was hoping the packers would win. I don’t want to play the Hawks.

We are not going to solve the worlds problems here. But thanks for a civilized discussion. Kind of rare these days.