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Data Element Detail

Person-interpreter service required (HBCIS)
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 042446 v1
Data Element
Data Element
Current
26-Jun-2007
Standard
01-Jul-2007
Whether an interpreter service is required by or for a person.
To assist in planning for provision of interpreter services
Interpreter service required (HBCIS)
Representational Attributes
Alphabetic
Code
A
1
1
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

CodeDescription
NNo
YYes
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

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

Code N No
Interpreter services are not required.

Code Y Yes
Interpreter services are 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 "Need for an interpreter" should be changed to "Yes".

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).
This data elements maps to the Person-interpreter service required (QHAPDC) data element as follows:
Code N No maps to code 2 Interpreter not needed.
Code Y Yes maps to code 1 Interpreter required.
Code U Unknown maps to code 9 Unknown.
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 1
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
Is used in the derivation ofData ElementData ElementPerson-interpreter service required (QHAPDC)QH 040741 Version 1Current
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

No Metadata Items
Source and Reference Attributes
Interpreter; Language;