Picture boards breaking comunication gaps in hospitals

The communication barriers in American medical facilities will only get worse as more people in the country seek medical services as the population increases. Although many hospitals already require bilingual employees, what about that life threatening situation where a language barrier can prevent quick action and treatment?

That's happening with widening alarm, and the growing use of pictureboards instead of written directions and instructions are easing the problem somewhat, according to emergency room staffers.

Similar to airplane safety pictureboards, easily understood pictorials take the place of words (generally in English) that can cause miscommunications and delays in treatment. Have you seen one in a hospital near you?