The nature of urgent care presents daily opportunities to provide care for patients you’ve never seen before and may never see again. The downside is there’s no history with such patients—and no chance to build rapport and establish the clear communication that comes from familiarity. Now remember that you’re speaking to each other through masks. Even if dosing is specified on that bottle of pain medication, did they hear you say it can only be taken every 4 hours? And are you able to hear their questions clearly? The American Association of Critical Care Nurses just published a blog post with tips for helping its audience communicate clearly with patients while practicing good COVID-19 practices. Here are a few to keep in mind and that apply to urgent care:

• People who normally wear hearing aids may find it uncomfortable to do so while wearing a mask and go without. Ask directly whether or not they can hear you clearly.
• Face the person you are speaking with directly, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of each other.
• Be aware of environmental noise.
• Talk louder and slower than usual, using simple language and an expressive tone.
• Use nonverbal cues, such as nodding your head, to acknowledge you are listening and understanding.
• Use hand gestures such as waving when you say hello or a thumbs-up to signal your agreement.
• Ask follow-up questions to ensure the listener understood your message.