Quick easy cheap health literacy aid

My Dad was in the hospital this week. I found this laminated sheet on the counter at the nurses station.

Patients, family and visitors with LEP —limited English proficiency— or a problem speaking could just point

to a picture to indicate what they need. A great simple idea that could save time and stress for all, including

nurses who get to answer all those questions and requests. I’m disappointed that in this rural community

with a large Spanish-speaking population all the people pictured are white, well and handsome. The well-coifed

woman eating is wearing a dress and pearls; she is clearly not from around here. And all the words are in English.

If the clip art more closely reflected the community and the text was bilingual you could hear me applauding.