Singsox Apps

RT Assist is an application that wasdevelopedto help Respiratory Therapists better communicate withtheirSpanish-speaking patients and their families. Our focus isspecificto translating the terms and phrases that RespiratoryTherapistscommonly use in the clinical setting. Included arephrases that canhelp explain standard procedures and reasons forspecific therapiesand/or medications. Patient assessment ispossible through guidedquestions about mental status, pain levelsand comfort. Intubatedpatients have a dedicated section that willallow clinicians toguide spontaneous breathing trials and assessextubation readiness.For simplicity, all questions have beendesigned to be given in ayes or no response.The goal of this bedside tool is to improve patient safetyandquality of care by ensuring a higher level of clarity andmutualunderstanding. We believe that our patients need tounderstand thereasons for a particular medication, therapy, orprocedure. Keepingthis in mind, we made it a point to ensure thatthese translationsstayed clear of “textbook” and “slang” Spanish.Instead, we haveopted to use a simple and polite Spanish that mostpeople canunderstand, regardless of country of origin or levelofeducation.