In this interactive audio lesson, we discuss goals of care in Spanish when a patient is in critical condition with COVID19.

(These show notes are adapted for Apple Podcasts. For interactive show notes with navigation box and timestamps go to https://docmolly.com/vital-talk-covid19-spanish-goals-care/.)

After witnessing the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we are facing the undeniable need to carry out the deep work required to change our society. As healthcare workers, one thing we can do is take the time to really understand the inequity within our healthcare system. The Clinical Problem Solvers recently recorded a discussion about the racial disparities revealed by the COVID19 pandemic. In this episode, they discuss basic structural determinants of health in our society that place certain populations at a disadvantage. I found it very helpful and inspiring.

This is our third lesson adapted from an invaluable communication guide by VitalTalk.org. This guide provides practical advice about how to discuss difficult topics around COVID19. In this lesson, we discuss goals of care with a family member when a patient is in critical condition.

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This is our third lesson adapted from an invaluable communication guide by VitalTalk.org. This guide provides practical advice about how to discuss difficult topics around COVID19. In this lesson, we discuss goals of care with a family member when a patient is in critical condition.

Check out our free lessons covering Spanish for COVID19 @ https://docmolly.com/spanish-for-covid-19/

LEVEL - ADVANCED

Before discussing goals of care in Spanish, we will first practice communicating to a family member that their loved one is in critical condition.

Está empeorando.
2:06
Está empeorando.
She is getting worse.

Oxygen therapy
2:26
Ella no tiene suficiente oxígeno en la sangre y necesitamos aplicarle una terapia con oxígeno. Vamos a darle oxígeno a través de este tubo.

el oxígeno
oxygen

la sangre
blood

Ella no tiene suficiente oxígeno en la sangre
She doesn’t have enough oxygen in her blood

la terapia con oxígeno
oxygen therapy

aplicar
to give, to administer

Necesitamos aplicarle una terapia con oxígeno.
We need to give her oxygen therapy.

el tubo
tube

a través de
through

Vamos a darle oxígeno a través de este tubo.
We’re going to give her oxygen through this tube.

La unidad de cuidados intensivos
3:58
Vamos a trasladarla a la unidad de cuidados intensivos por el estado crítico que tiene.

trasladar
to move, to transfer

la unidad de cuidados intensivos
the intensive care unit, ICU

el estado crítico / la condición crítica
critical condition

Vamos a trasladarla a la unidad de cuidados intensivos por el estado crítico que tiene.
We’re moving her to the ICU because of the critical condition she is in.

Ponerla en un respirador
4:54
Necesitamos a ayudarle a respirar. Vamos a ponerla en un respirador para ayudarle a respirar.

respirar
to breathe

Necesitamos a ayudarle a respirar.
We need to help her breathe.

OJO: Remember to follow the verb AYUDAR with the preposition A. [See Spanish Verbs with Prepositions. Spanish Grammar members, see VB04 Spanish Verbs with Prepositions.] You can use LE or LA/LO with the verb AYUDAR. Although the the pronoun refers to the direct object of the verb, LE is often considered more courteous.

el respirador / el ventilador
ventilator