David Brodhead | Surgical PA Journey

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10 Spanish Phrases You Can Use in the OR – Part 1: Getting the Patient onto the Operating Table

Depending on your comfort level with Spanish, these 10 phrases may be a lot to try to learn all at once. Even just learning a few words and/or a phrase…

10 Spanish Phrases You Can Use in the OR Part 1 Getting the Patient onto the Operating Table

Having a translator available in healthcare settings is ideal, but the operating room is not always a typical environment.

When patients arrive in the OR, there are a number of things we need them to do, often quickly and with multiple people involved. At the same time, we are performing tasks that can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable from the patient’s perspective.

As OR staff, one of our goals is to help patients feel informed and at ease. We want to talk them through what is happening in real time. But getting a translator into the OR at the right moment is not always possible.

In those situations, even a few simple phrases can make a meaningful difference.

Here are some Spanish phrases I have found useful when helping patients transition onto the operating table.

Introduce yourself and offer a warm blanket

Hola, yo soy ___________. Voy a ayudar a su cirujano o cirujana.
Hello, I am ____________. I am going to be helping your surgeon.

¿Tiene frío? ¿Quiere una manta calentita?
Are you cold? Do you want a warm blanket?

Setting Expectations

Por favor, quédese en la camilla por ahora.
Please stay in the bed for now.

¿Puede trasladarse a la mesa?
Are you able to move to the table?

Gown Check and Untying the Gown

¿Está atada su bata por la espalda?
Is your surgical gown tied in the back?

Vamos a desatarle la bata y a sostenerla mientras se pasa a la mesa, para que no termine envuelto.
We are going to untie your gown and hold it while you move to the table so that you do not get wrapped up.

Timing

Cuando esté listo o lista…
When you are ready…

Encouragement

Bien hecho o hecha.
Good job.

Positioning

¿Puede acercarse un poco hacia mí?
Can you scoot towards me?

¿Puede correrse un poco hacia abajo o arriba?
Can you scoot down or up?

Depending on your comfort level with Spanish, these 10 phrases may be a lot to try to learn all at once. Even just learning a few words and/or a phrase or two can make a huge difference to a patient coming into the OR.

Vocabulary

Abajo – down
Arriba – up
Bata – gown
Calentita – warm
Camilla – hospital bed or stretcher
Cirujano o cirujana – surgeon
Manta – blanket
Médico o médica – doctor
Mesa de operaciones – operating table
Por favor – please
Pronto – soon
Próximo – next
Quirófano – operating room