--- title: "“Intoxicado” : What Can Happen with the Misinterpretation of a Single Word — #1 Medical Spanish eLearning | Canopy Innovations" description: "Spoiler: it has nothing to do with ‘intoxicated’  " image: https://blog.withcanopy.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-27%20at%2011_26_16%20AM-1.png --- [![Canopy](https://blog.withcanopy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canopy%20Logo_Blue-06-1.png?width=438&name=Canopy%20Logo_Blue-06-1.png)](https://withcanopy.com)   #### Canopy Latest # “Intoxicado”: What Can Happen with the Misinterpretation of a Single Word Posted by [Anny Zhang](https://blog.withcanopy.com/author/anny-zhang) on Sep 27, 2017 12:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Interpretation errors — both big and small — occur when language resource provision is inadequate or when providers have a false sense of their language abilities. The tragic case of Willie Ramirez regarding the misinterpretation of a single word — “intoxicado” — should serve to fuel action to change the landscape of language services. (Spoiler: It has nothing to do with ‘intoxicated’) Read more below to discover how providing innovative language support for healthcare providers will increase quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP)... ![Screen Shot 2017-09-27 at 11.26.16 AM.png](https://blog.withcanopy.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-27%20at%2011_26_16%20AM-2.png) ![Screen Shot 2017-09-27 at 11.26.16 AM.png](https://blog.withcanopy.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-27%20at%2011_26_16%20AM.png)   > *“Willie Ramirez became quadriplegic as a result of a misdiagnosed intracerebellar hemorrhage that continued to bleed for more than two days as he lay unconscious in the hospital. In the course of the law suit, it was asserted that Willie could have walked out of the hospital had the neurosurgeon been called in earlier. No neuro consult was ordered for two days because the Emergency Room physician and the doctor covering Willie in the ICU erroneously believed that Willie had suffered an intentional drug overdose and had treated him accordingly. The misdiagnosis was based on the physical exam which initially pointed to a drug overdose, and on complete confusion regarding the medical history. At the heart of this confusion, was the Spanish word “intoxicado” which is NOT always equivalent to the English word “intoxicated.” ”* Read the full story of Willie Ramirez [here](http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2008/11/19/language-culture-and-medical-tragedy-the-case-of-willie-ramirez/). The most tragic part of this story, is that it could have all been avoided, had there been Qualified Bilingual Staff on site at the hospital when the incident took place. This story demonstrates the importance of certified bilingual healthcare professionals being present to serve Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients in these situations when they arise. Are you a healthcare professional who is ready to level up your patient care and become the most qualified (and bilingual) healthcare professional that you can be? CanopyLearn is the #1 medical Spanish course in the US designed specifically for healthcare. With over 40+ medical specialties and the most flexible e-learning platform of its kind, you can get bilingual certified and improve your patient care while learning on YOUR time. Click the link to learn more about CanopyLearn (and get a 10% discount when you sign up.) [![Start Learning Medical Spanish](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5953582/5ddd002f-79f9-4227-9a8e-e68deeeefdd1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5953582/5ddd002f-79f9-4227-9a8e-e68deeeefdd1) #### Want to bring medical Spanish to your institution? [Contact us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/anna-spivey/meeting-link?__hstc=246563675.6446866d5a685d7315f9574fe547ad19.1667571500317.1671115690924.1671123163343.65&__hssc=246563675.12.1671123163343&__hsfp=626429062) to learn more about our turnkey solution and custom quotes! Topics: [Press Release](https://blog.withcanopy.com/tag/press-release), [false fluency](https://blog.withcanopy.com/tag/false-fluency), [Medical Translation](https://blog.withcanopy.com/tag/medical-translation), [medical Spanish](https://blog.withcanopy.com/tag/medical-spanish) # **Let us know what you think!** # About Canopy ### We’re Eliminating the Language Barrier in Healthcare – *Beyond Interpreters* Canopy is a proven, all-in-one digital platform that fills your healthcare institution's language-access gaps with innovative, NIH-supported solutions including language and compliance training, QBS certification, administrative oversight, and much more. All to improve performance, retain quality workers, and deliver better care. 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