[WWW - 2023.07.31]

Data Element Detail

Person-interpreter service required (QHAPDC)
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 040741 v1
Data Element
Data Element
Current
26-Jul-2002
Standard
01-Jul-2007
Whether an interpreter service is required by or for the person.
Admitted patient care
Interpreter service required (QHAPDC)
Representational Attributes
Numeric
Code
N
1
1
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

CodeDescription
1Interpreter needed
2Interpreter not needed
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

CodeDescription
9Unknown
Collection and Usage Attributes
Includes verbal language, non verbal language and languages other than English.

Code 1 Interpreter needed
Interpreter services are required.

Code 2 Interpreter not needed
Interpreter services are not required.

Code U Unknown
It is unknown if interpreter services are required.

Persons requiring interpreter services for any form of sign language should be coded as 1 Interpreter needed.

The question that should be asked is "Do you require an interpreter?"
If a patient answers "No" as their family or friend will interpret for them, health staff (administrative staff) must inform the patient that this practice is against the Queensland Health Language Services Policy which states that family and friends should only be used for interpreting emergency cases, when a qualified interpreter or a bilingual health worker is not available.

If a patient answers "No" and the health staff member asking the question is concerned about the patient's ability to communicate, the staff member should explain that to assist health professionals (health clinicians) to communicate health information effectively, they must be sure that this information is understood. Health staff should say "It may be easier to understand health information in the language in which you are the most comfortable" (i.e. their preferred language). The patient should also be informed that interpreter services are provided at no cost to patients.

The health staff member should then ask the patient "I would like to organise an interpreter to help us communicate. Do you agree?"

If the patient agrees the data item should be recorded as "Interpreter needed".

In some instances a patient may indicate that they do not need an interpreter but the health professional (health clinician) trying to conduct an assessment is concerned about the patient's ability to communicate in English. In this situation, the health professional should not assume that information has been conveyed to the patient on the Queensland Government Languages Services Policy 2011 regarding their right to an interpreter.

The health professional should state that they are concerned that they are not effectively communicating and that they are not sure that they understand what the patient is saying. The health professional should state to the patient that "Under the Queensland Government Languages Services Policy I am required to ensure that we are able to understand what we are each saying as some of the information we discuss may be complex (due to specific health vocabulary in English) and affects your health care. I would like to organise an interpreter to help us communicate. Do you agree?"

If the patient continues to disagree, the health professional should find out whether there are any specific reasons why the patient does not wish to have an interpreter. The health professional should explain that interpreters are bound by the professional Code of Conduct which includes confidentiality of patient information. If the patient is concerned about this, or the sensitive nature of the appointment (this can be an issue for smaller communities), the health professional can request that an interstate interpreter be booked via video conference or telephone. This should be noted in the patient's file.

If a patient refuses an interpreter after the explanations have been provided, staff must document the discussion and the reason for proceeding with the appointment without an interpreter in the patient's health record.

The HBCIS option "Unknown" should be used rarely, for example in emergencies when staff is unable to ascertain whether an interpreter is needed (i.e. patient is unconscious).
Must not be null.
Must be code 1, 2 or 9.
This data element assists in planning for provision of interpreter services.
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 1
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
Is derived fromData ElementData ElementPerson-interpreter service required (HBCIS)QH 042446 Version 1Current
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

  • 1 - 9
ViewMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifer & VersionObligationApproval StatusEffective FromEffective To
Information AssetData CollectionQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC)QH 020001 Version 2MandatoryCurrent01-Jul-2019
Information AssetData CollectionQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC)QH 020001 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-200730-Jun-2019
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2016-2017QH 020314 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201630-Jun-2017
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2017-2018QH 020329 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201730-Jun-2018
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2018-2019QH 020504 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201830-Jun-2019
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2019-2020QH 020582 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201930-Jun-2020
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2020-2021QH 020693 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-202030-Jun-2021
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2021-2022QH 020781 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-202130-Jun-2022
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) Public Hospital Services Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2022-2023QH 0140697 Version 1MandatoryCurrent01-Jul-202230-Jun-2023
Source and Reference Attributes
Interpreter; Language;