RT Assist

RT Assist is an application that was developed to help Respiratory Therapists better communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients and their families. Our focus is specific to translating the terms and phrases that Respiratory Therapists commonly use in the clinical setting. Included are phrases that can help explain standard procedures and reasons for specific therapies and/or medications. Patient assessment is possible through guided questions about mental status, pain levels and comfort. Intubated patients have a dedicated section that will allow clinicians to guide spontaneous breathing trials and assess extubation readiness. For simplicity, all questions have been designed to be given in a yes or no response.
The goal of this bedside tool is to improve patient safety and quality of care by ensuring a higher level of clarity and mutual understanding. We believe that our patients need to understand the reasons for a particular medication, therapy, or procedure. Keeping this in mind, we made it a point to ensure that these translations stayed clear of “textbook” and “slang” Spanish. Instead, we have opted to use a simple and polite Spanish that most people can understand, regardless of country of origin or level of education.

Category : Medical

Reviews (8)

Gla. S. May 3, 2015

This app is so awesome! It has everything I need and more to communicate with my patients. Thanks to my awesome coworkers who developed it!! And to those who say the app isn't working, make sure you turn the volume up on your phone. When you select a phrase, you will hear someone saying it. But it won't work if your phone is on mute!

ste. j. Jul 10, 2016

I have never used an app so helpful, but just listening to the voice of the angle talking makes my sun rise. When I hear him I see the colors I never knew, truly a great app

ard. p. May 21, 2014

This application is awesome..working with patients who are spanish speaking allows me to have good repoire and give great care to them!

Kan. M. Mar 29, 2016

This has helped me many times bridge that barrier with my Hispanic patients. I highly recommend it!

Edu. H. Jan 24, 2014

I am currently studying RT in Puerto Rico and this is a great resource not only for non spanish speakers but for native speakers as well. It underlines the importance of patient care and reading levels that we should communicate with the patients. For those who don't speak spanish, I can personally attest to the phrases as viable and effective ways of communication at or around a 6th grade reading level.

Kel. B. Mar 20, 2014

I am an RN and actually work with one of the men who developed this app. I'm so pleased! It is so handy, very mobile, and all of the patients I have used it with really responded positively towards its use. I have translated mostly with people who are waking up post op and are doing a sprint trial for extubation. Families have also really appreciated its implementation. The developers really value feedback and have added a few phrases I thought pertinent for my current practice. I highly recommend this app.

Jo. F. Apr 2, 2014

Quick, concise app to help all people in healthcare provide better care! Highly recommend this app!

Bee. Jan 30, 2015

I installed it and when I select a category it doesn't do anything!