Case Story

This case focuses on how medical information is shared with a young, frightened mom. It illustrates the importance of using a qualified medical interpreter when discussing medical issues with families. As you read through the story and watch the video, put yourself in this mother’s position – listening to medical information about a loved one in a language you do not understand.

Lili Morales

Lili Moralas had been a thriving, healthy four-month-old baby girl. Earlier in the week, she started choking and gagging as her mom, Maria, was feeding her. Lili suddenly turned an ugly purple color, went limp, and quit breathing. Maria screamed and shook Lili to wake her up. Her husband, Carlos, rushed into the room. Lili was now breathing, but Maria and Carlos decided to drive Lili to the emergency room to find out what was wrong with her.

Carlos had come to the midwest region of the United States about ten years ago as a migrant worker. He liked the community and worked hard to establish residence and earn enough money so that his fiance could join him. He and Maria had been married a year ago in Mexico City and she left her family behind to begin a new life with her husband in the United States. Although Maria was a legally documented resident of the US, she had not learned much English. She was pregnant when she moved and had not met many people outside the small community of Carlos' friends.

Lili was admitted to the hospital where the doctors found a hemangioma in her airway. A hemangioma is a collection of blood vessels that sticks out into the airway. It partially blocks the airway making it hard to breathe. The pulmonologist, Dr. Schroth, and a nurse, Becki, are about to tell Maria that Lili will need a tracheostomy to help her breathe.

 

Things to consider about this case

There are several issues to consider about these cases. You will explore these issues more fully in the learning activities.

• If you work with people with limited English proficiency, do you know the language needs of your population base? How do you accommodate them?
• Are you aware of your legal requirements to provide equal access to medical care to all patients?
• What are some basic skills that you can use when working with interpreters?

 

What to do next

Now that you have read the case, go to the Lecture section to gain a better conceptual understanding of people with limited English proficiency and how you can better serve this population.