Tips for Bedside Communication & Materials Preparation
COVID-19 patients may have difficulty understanding you when you are speaking through the protective masks. Here are some tips to remember and use:
- Get the patient's attention by touching their shoulder or arm and locking eyes.
- Speak loudly, slowly and distinctly.
- Establish a clear YES-NO signal (ex: head nod/shake; thumb up/closed fist; eyeblink/eye shut; look up/eyes shut)
- Post a sign so all providers know the YES-NO signal
- Speak in simple phrases – like a television announcer. Repeat important words.
- Use visuals while you talk:
- Point and gesture.
- Write key words or phrases with bullet points on a paper.
- Point to pictures or phrases on a communication board while asking questions about needs or symptoms.
Here are some tips for printing and preparing the bedside communication boards:
Set-up Suggestions and Considerations |
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1. Select the desired board, download, and print |
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2. Laminate the board or place in a sheet protector - Each board is intended to be double-sided. - Make sure the instructions are on the back. - Instructions are clinician facing. - Boards are patient-facing. |
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3. Now you are ready to go! - Communication boards are designed for single patient use. The boards can be discarded when no longer needed or when the patient is discharged. |
Here are some tips for other ways to support communication with your patient using writing/spelling:
- Consider using a dry erase board if a patient can hold a pen/marker to write. A lap tray or pillow under their arm may be helpful for positioning.