West Roxbury nurse’s mission is to have fewer barriers to care

In 2009, 17-year-old Diovanny Teixeira suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury while living in his native Cape Verde. Because he was in need of more advanced care than what was locally available, he was issued a special visa that allowed him to come to the United States for treatment. Eventually, he and his mother Adelaide found their way to the Franciscan Hospital for Children (FHC) in Brighton, and began an intensive 10-month rehabilitation process there.

What already was bound to be a grueling and stressful ordeal could have been even harder for the Teixeiras because of the language barrier. Even for a native English speaker, complicated medical terminology can be tricky, and the pair speaks Creole at home and had been conversing with doctors only in Portuguese.

But luckily, FHC has an extensive interpreter services department free and available to all of their patients and families, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation.

At FHC, the patient-base is made up of more than 30 percent non-English speakers. Because they treat children of all ages, they often need to explain to parents and other family members what is happening with their child, as well as teach them how to provide ongoing treatment once he or she returns home.

Were often teaching parents how to care for their children everything from changing a gastrostomy tube to adjusting a ventilator, said Fran Page, FHC nursing supervisor and a 50-year West Roxbury resident. We need to talk through it with them and use dolls (for practice) until they feel comfortable. ...Years ago, these children would have had to remain in the hospital.

The hospital chooses not to rely on the translation skills of a patients family members and friends because it is important that the medical information is conveyed as accurately as possible. The interpreter, who may be available in person or over the telephone, is certified specifically in medical interpretation and can provide patients and their families with translation in any language needed, including American Sign Language.

As medical professionals prepare a child to go home, caregivers are encouraged to stay overnight at the hospital as a dry run so any questions can be answered before theyre fully on their own.

We encourage them to stay over so its kind of like theyre at home, Page said. And then if there are any problems, a nurse is right there.

For Adelaide Teixeira, who lives in Lynn with Diovanny, now 19 years old, the interpreter services at FHC were a major help as they navigated their way through his treatment and his transition to becoming an outpatient.

The language services are not just available while children are being treated around the clock in the hospital, but extend to social worker and case manager services that assisted the family in finding and moving to a house with wheelchair accessibility.

View post:
West Roxbury nurse’s mission is to have fewer barriers to care