As I blog this, Bob is in the hospital after a knee surgery. He ensured he would have interpreting service - or so I thought. Today after surgery, I found out that he would not have any interpreter all weekend! I asked, no, make that demanded, to know why. They told me something about how they had called Bob, and he allegedly said no to interpreters on the weekend or said something about how he would arrange it himself?
As Sherlock Steve pointed out, this kind of thing needs to be documented in writing. I could not agree more. Before the surgery, I had asked Bob if interpreters were arranged for. All I remember is that he said he would have an interpreter til 3 pm. But I didn't know that meant until 3 pm day of surgery and then no more interpreters after that!
I insisted that arrangements be made for additional interpreting services. The lady who had talked to Bob on the phone through a relay service came and talked to me and insisted that Bob had said "no" to weekend interpreters. But I held my ground and insisted, and the hospital scrambled to call the interpreting agency and try to get services even at this last-minute notice. I had to leave at 3 pm, so I do not know if they definitely secured interpreters for the weekend or not. Update: I called the hospital before going to bed. The nurse confirmed that he would have interpreters all weekend and on Monday as well. The interpreters would be 8 am to 10 pm Sat and Sun, and 8 am to 3 pm Monday.
When Bob woke briefly, I asked him (in addition to how he felt, of course) if he wanted interpreters for the weekend and all he was able to say was "it would be nice." He was not able, in his still drugged state, to confirm whether or not he had requested interpreters for the weekend.
In cyberchatting with other deaf people, I learned that when some deaf people go to the hospital, they actually get interpreter services 24/7! Even when my deaf son had surgery over the summer, he had interpreters daily, but ONLY until 7 pm at night. After 7 pm at night, he was on his own to communicate with the doctors and nurses. Why the discrepancy?? Who pays for the interpreter service - the hospital or the insurance? Is it the hospital limiting the services? Or the insurance companies/insurance programs?
I don't know if I did the right thing or not demanding the interpreting services for the weekend. (When the situation demands it, I can be quite a spitfire!) All I know is that my boyfriend is in a hospital bed in pain, without a hearing aid (his hearing aid is apparently not working), and all the good speech and lipreading skills he has are not enough when it comes to communicating with doctors and nurses. And *I* need the interpreting services so I can communicate with the doctors and nurses about his care and needs.
Friday, December 12, 2008
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8 comments:
Of course you did the right thing.
Sometimes we gotta bark and bark until they listen to us. Otherwise some will try to keep violating the laws because it saves them a lot of money.
Jamie--I'm actually surprised hospitals will consent to 24/7 or 7am-7pm interpreters because that seems to go well beyond what is reasonable accommodation. If an interpreter is present during doctor rounds to facilitate communication between doctor and patient and at specific other times in the day to facilitate communication with nursing, rehabilitation and social worker staff that would meet the reasonable accommodation rule. Demanding 24/7 or 12hr per day interpreting can be considered excessive and the hospital can argue it is an undue burden unless there is a compelling medical reason to support the request.
California Advocate
I agree with you to being barking at nurse.
I agree with Mishkazena. It is almost impossible to deal without interpreter or write a pen and paper is not simple to save your life. Medical vocbulary might complcations with pre or post surgery.
Late 1987 I end up emergency room when I had a burst appendencities and no way to reach interpreter agencies. but they do have a 24 hour interpreter in notebook. No one know how to reach interpreter!
I finally barked at the nurse over and over.. The interpreter coordinateor mad at ER for not getting good instruction book. They still do not able to find a notebook. I cannot beleive that. Steven's Hosptial keep say I dont know how to find them. I said Where is white notebook!
Now I found out they wont hire ASL interpreter in 24 hours Somewhat I learn they violated and lame of excuse over and over. All hosptial must hire in ASL interpreter in 24/7 hours.
Kind of wish that I can slap nurse's face for excuse. I am not Zsa Zsa Gabor. I am Greta Garbo should learn to slapping the nurse! Get a 24 hours intterpreter avaiable. They know better!!
Anonymous,
Dept of Justice had determined 24/7isn't an unreasonable accommodation. Emergencies can happen anytime, including overnights. The patients need to communicate with the medical staff.
Mishkazena,
Exactly! They know better that and want to save their out of pocket. if deaf patient died withut ASL intepreter avaiable. Who is responsible?>
I encouraged everyone to barking doctor and nurse. Give the business card to Hosptial ER for surgery issues. ( you can ask to save the business card for yourself and make a copies the business card. Give them in your hometown of ASL interpreter agencies,too.. Dont angry front of them. just tame and behavior better to communicate with
Anonymous, They know better and they simple avoid to pay too expensive ASL interpreter. and hire forgien Language. I know how much I was frustrated with them.
Often Forgien Language Service is overnight for hearing with different lanaugae. but not deaf service in Seattle, WA location
Good share with all of you!
Also Use your own enpowered,too!
California Advocate,
Since the ADA was established, no company, not a single one, has ever been able to prove undue hardship. I highly doubt a hospital would be the first one to be able to prove they could not afford interpreters.
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