Table of Contents
- Why Clarifying Is a Patient Safety Skill, Not a Weakness
- The Real Cost of Nodding and Pretending
- Phrase 1: Setting Expectations Upfront — "Please bear with me if I ask you to repeat things."
- Phrase 2: Asking a Colleague to Fill You In — "I didn't quite catch everything. Do you mind explaining?"
- Phrase 3: Cross-Checking with Another Department — "Just confirming, did you send the report?"
- Phrase 4: Taking Ownership of the Follow-Up — "I'll chase that up with the doc and get back to you."
- Bonus: Closed-Loop Communication — The Framework Behind These Phrases
- Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Final Thoughts
Why Clarifying Is a Patient Safety Skill, Not a Weakness
G'day, I'm Justin — a registered nurse with 12 years of clinical experience in South Korea, now working full-time on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland under a Subclass 491 visa. When I started working in an Australian hospital, there was one fear that kept me up at night — and it wasn't clinical knowledge. It was missing something someone said to me in English.
A fast-talking consultant rattling off orders. A charge nurse giving a handover with heavy Australian accent. A colleague mentioning something casually in the corridor that turns out to be critical. If you're an international nurse working in a language that isn't your first, you know exactly what I mean. The words blend together, and suddenly you're standing there, unsure whether you heard "sigmoid" or "caecum," "10 milligrams" or "10 micrograms."
Here's the truth that took me weeks to fully accept: in Australian healthcare culture, asking someone to repeat themselves is not a sign of incompetence. It is a patient safety behaviour. The NSQHS Communicating for Safety Standard explicitly requires healthcare teams to use strategies that ensure information is correctly understood. Staying silent when you're unsure is not politeness — it's a risk.
In this post, I'm sharing four real English phrases that I use every single week to clarify instructions, catch misunderstandings before they become errors, and communicate confidently across departments. Each phrase comes with the exact wording, a Korean translation, a real scenario, and a pro tip.
The Real Cost of Nodding and Pretending
Before we get to the phrases, let's be honest about what happens when international nurses pretend to understand.
In Korean, Filipino, Indian, and Japanese hospital cultures, there's often an unspoken expectation: figure it out yourself. Asking a senior to repeat themselves can feel embarrassing, especially when you're new and trying to prove your competence. So you nod, smile, and hope you caught enough.
But in a clinical environment, "enough" isn't safe. Consider these scenarios where a single misunderstanding could cascade into harm:
| What You Heard | What Was Actually Said | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| "Give 15 mg" | "Give 50 mg" | Medication error — under- or overdose |
| "Biopsy from the caecum" | "Biopsy from the sigmoid" | Specimen mislabelling — wrong diagnosis |
| "Patient going to Ward 4B" | "Patient going to Ward 4D" | Transfer to wrong ward — delayed care |
| "Report has been sent" | "Report hasn't been sent yet" | Missing documentation — treatment delay |
Every one of these scenarios is preventable with a single clarifying question. The phrases below give you the exact words to ask that question — naturally, politely, and professionally.
Phrase 1: Setting Expectations Upfront — "Please bear with me if I ask you to repeat things."
The Phrase
"I'm a bit afraid things might get lost in translation. I don't want any misunderstandings, so please bear with me if I ask you to repeat things."
π°π· "μμ¬μν΅ κ³Όμ μμ μ€ν΄κ° μκΈΈκΉ λ΄ κ·Έλ¬λλ°μ, μ κ° λ€μ νλ² λ§μν΄ λ¬λΌκ³ μμ²νλλΌλ μ‘°κΈλ§ μν΄ λΆνλ립λλ€."
Why This Phrase Works
This is a pre-emptive phrase — you say it before any misunderstanding happens, ideally on your first day working with a new team, consultant, or department. It accomplishes three things at once.
First, it acknowledges the language gap honestly without apologising excessively. The phrase "lost in translation" is universally understood and carries no stigma — it's something even native English speakers say when communicating across specialties or accents.
Second, it frames your future questions as safety behaviour, not ignorance. By saying "I don't want any misunderstandings," you're signalling that your priority is accuracy, not convenience.
Third, it gives the other person permission to slow down. Many Australians speak quickly and use contractions, slang, and dropped syllables without realising it. When you say "bear with me," they consciously adjust — speaking more clearly, pausing between instructions, and checking in with you more often.
Real Scenario
Situation: Your first morning working with a new consultant who speaks very quickly.
Say (during the pre-list briefing): "Good morning, Dr. Chen. I'm Justin — I'll be assisting you today. Just a heads-up, I'm a bit afraid things might get lost in translation, so please bear with me if I ask you to repeat things. I want to make sure I get everything right for your patients."
Pro Tip
Use this phrase once, early, and confidently. Don't repeat it every shift — that can become self-deprecating. Say it on day one, and it sets the tone for the entire working relationship. Most Australian healthcare professionals will respond with something like "No worries at all, just ask anytime" — and they genuinely mean it.
Phrase 2: Asking a Colleague to Fill You In — "I didn't quite catch everything. Do you mind explaining?"
The Phrase
"I didn't quite catch everything xx said earlier. Do you mind explaining what was discussed?"
π°π· "μκΉ xxκ° ν λ§μ λ€ λͺ» μμλ€μμ΄. λ¬΄μ¨ μκΈ°μλμ§ μ€λͺ ν΄ μ€ μ μμ΄?"
Why This Phrase Works
This is a recovery phrase — you use it after the moment has passed and you realise you missed something important. It works because of three deliberate choices in the wording.
"I didn't quite catch everything" — the word "quite" is a British/Australian softener. It means you caught some of it, but not all. This is much more natural than saying "I didn't understand anything," which sounds alarming and undermines your credibility.
"Amanda said earlier" — by naming the person and the timeframe, you're being specific. This helps your colleague understand exactly which conversation you're referring to, rather than giving a vague "what happened?"
"Do you mind explaining?" — this is a polite request form. In Australian English, "Do you mind…?" is the standard way to ask a favour without sounding demanding. The expected response is "Not at all" or "Yeah, sure."
Real Scenario
Situation: During a team huddle, the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) gave rapid-fire updates about three patients. You caught two but missed the details on the third.
Say (to a trusted colleague afterward): "Hey xx, I didn't quite catch everything Amanda said about the patient in bed 6. Do you mind explaining what was discussed? I want to make sure I'm across it before I start my round."
Pro Tip
The phrase "I want to make sure I'm across it" is Australian workplace English for "I want to be fully informed." Using this expression shows cultural adaptation and signals that you take your responsibilities seriously. It also subtly communicates that you're not asking out of laziness — you're asking because you care about doing the job properly.
Phrase 3: Cross-Checking with Another Department — "Just confirming, did you send the report?"
The Phrase
"Just confirming, did you send the report for Mr. XX to the recovery room? They haven't received it yet."
π°π· "νμΈμ°¨ 묻λλ°, XX νμ 리ν¬νΈ 리컀λ²λ¦¬λ£Έμ 보λμ΄? κ±λ€ μμ§ λͺ» λ°μλμ."
Why This Phrase Works
Inter-departmental miscommunication is one of the most common sources of error in hospitals. A report that was "sent" but never "received." An order that was "faxed" but ended up on the wrong printer. A verbal handover that was given to the wrong nurse. These gaps happen every day — and in a busy Australian hospital running 15-20 endoscopy cases, they happen more often than anyone would like to admit.
This phrase is structured as a neutral verification, not an accusation. Breaking it down: "Just confirming" signals that this is a routine check, not a complaint. "Did you send the report for Mr. XX" is specific — you've named the patient and the document. "They haven't received it yet" provides the factual reason for your call. You're not saying "you forgot to send it" — you're saying "it hasn't arrived yet," which leaves space for the problem to be on either end.
Real Scenario
Situation: You're in the endoscopy suite and the recovery room (PACU) calls to say they're still waiting for the procedure report for a patient who arrived 20 minutes ago.
Say (calling the proceduralist's office or the admin nurse): "Hi, it's Justin from endo. Just confirming, did you send the report for Mr. xx to the recovery room? They haven't received it yet, and they need it before they can start their post-procedure obs."
Pro Tip
Adding why the document is needed ("they need it before they can start their post-procedure obs") transforms your call from a simple check into an urgency signal. It helps the other person prioritise your request without you having to say "this is urgent." In Australian hospital culture, giving context is always more effective than giving commands.
Phrase 4: Taking Ownership of the Follow-Up — "I'll chase that up with the doc and get back to you."
The Phrase
"No worries, I'll chase that up with the doc and get back to you."
π°π· "κ±±μ λ§, λ΄κ° μμ¬νν νμΈν΄ λ³΄κ³ λ€μ μ°λ½μ€κ²."
Why This Phrase Works
This phrase contains two quintessentially Australian expressions that every international nurse should master.
"Chase that up" — this is Australian/British English for "follow up on" or "track down." In a hospital context, it means you'll actively pursue the information or action. It's more energetic than "I'll look into it" and conveys that you'll make it happen, not just think about it. You'll hear this phrase dozens of times a day in any Australian ward.
"Get back to you" — this means "I'll return with the answer." It closes the loop by committing to a follow-up, so the other person knows they don't need to chase it themselves.
Together, "I'll chase that up and get back to you" is one of the most useful all-purpose phrases in Australian hospital English. It signals ownership, initiative, and reliability — three qualities that earn trust fast.
Real Scenario
Situation: The recovery room nurse calls and asks whether the proceduralist wants the patient to have a specific post-procedure medication. You don't have the answer, but you know who does.
Say: "Good question — I'm not 100% sure on that one. No worries, I'll chase that up with Dr. Park and get back to you within the next 10 minutes. Is that okay?"
Pro Tip
Notice the addition of "within the next 10 minutes" — giving a timeframe is a small but powerful upgrade. It manages the other person's expectations and holds you accountable. If you say "I'll get back to you" without a timeframe, it can drift into "never." Australian colleagues respect nurses who commit to a timeline and deliver on it.
Bonus: Closed-Loop Communication — The Framework Behind These Phrases
All four phrases in this post are built on a principle called closed-loop communication — a structured method used in healthcare (and aviation, military, and emergency services) to ensure information is accurately sent, received, and confirmed.
The model, formalised by the AHRQ TeamSTEPPS program, has three steps:
| Step | Action | Example from This Post |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Call-Out | Sender gives clear information | xx gives updates during the huddle |
| 2. Check-Back | Receiver repeats or confirms understanding | "Just confirming, did you send the report for Mr. XX?" |
| 3. Close the Loop | Sender verifies the check-back is correct | "Yes, it was sent 10 minutes ago — I'll resend now." |
When you use phrases like "Just confirming…" or "I didn't quite catch everything…", you're performing Step 2 — the check-back. This is the step that most international nurses skip because of cultural conditioning (don't question, don't ask twice). But it's the step that prevents the majority of communication-related errors in hospitals.
Research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that teams trained in closed-loop communication had significantly fewer procedural errors and faster response times during critical events. It's not just a communication technique — it's a safety intervention.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
| Situation | Phrase | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| Setting expectations on Day 1 | "Please bear with me if I ask you to repeat things. I don't want any misunderstandings." | λ€μ νλ² λ§μν΄ λ¬λΌκ³ ν΄λ μν΄ λΆνλ립λλ€. μ€ν΄κ° μκΈ°λ©΄ μ λλκΉμ. |
| Missed part of a handover | "I didn't quite catch everything Amanda said. Do you mind explaining what was discussed?" | μλ§λ€κ° ν λ§μ λ€ λͺ» μμλ€μμ΄. λ¬΄μ¨ μκΈ°μλμ§ μ€λͺ ν΄ μ€ μ μμ΄? |
| Checking if a report was sent | "Just confirming, did you send the report for Mr. XX to the recovery room? They haven't received it yet." | νμΈμ°¨ 묻λλ°, XX νμ 리ν¬νΈ 리컀λ²λ¦¬λ£Έμ 보λμ΄? μμ§ λͺ» λ°μλμ. |
| Following up with a doctor | "No worries, I'll chase that up with the doc and get back to you." | κ±±μ λ§, λ΄κ° μμ¬νν νμΈν΄ λ³΄κ³ λ€μ μ°λ½μ€κ². |
| Adding a timeframe | "I'll get back to you within the next 10 minutes." | 10λΆ μμ λ€μ μ°λ½μ€κ². |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Won't asking people to repeat themselves make me look incompetent?
No — the opposite is true. In Australian healthcare, asking for clarification is considered a professional safety behaviour, not a weakness. The NSQHS Communicating for Safety Standard specifically requires healthcare workers to verify and confirm critical information. A nurse who checks is trusted far more than a nurse who guesses.
Q2: What does "chase that up" mean exactly?
"Chase up" is Australian and British English for "follow up on" or "actively pursue." In a hospital, it means you'll track down the answer, document, or person and report back. For example: "I'll chase up the blood results" means "I'll find out where the blood results are and let you know." It's one of the most commonly used phrases in Australian workplaces — learn it, use it, and you'll sound like a local within weeks.
Q3: How is this different from what I learned for OET or PTE?
OET and PTE teach you structured clinical communication: taking a patient history, writing a referral, completing a role-play. They don't teach you how to recover from a missed instruction in real time, how to follow up across departments, or how to set expectations about your language needs on Day 1. Think of OET/PTE as your qualification — and Hospital English as the skill that makes you effective from your first shift.
Q4: Can I use these phrases in hospitals outside Australia?
Absolutely. Closed-loop communication is a global patient safety standard used in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond. The phrasing in this post is slightly Australian in flavour (e.g., "chase up," "no worries," "bear with me"), but the underlying structure — clarify, confirm, close the loop — works in any English-speaking hospital environment.
Final Thoughts
When I first arrived in Australia, I used to rehearse sentences in my head before saying them out loud. I'd practise asking a question three different ways, trying to find the version that sounded least "foreign." It was exhausting.
What changed everything was realising that Australian hospitals don't expect perfect English — they expect safe communication. Nobody cares if your grammar is slightly off. What they care about is whether the patient got the right medication, the right specimen label, the right transfer destination. And the fastest way to guarantee that is to ask when you're unsure.
The four phrases in this post — "bear with me," "I didn't quite catch everything," "just confirming," and "I'll chase that up" — are your toolkit for turning moments of uncertainty into moments of professionalism. They show that you care enough to get it right, and in any Australian ward, that's what matters most.
π Coming Soon: I'm building a downloadable "Australian Hospital English Cheat Sheet" — a pocket-sized ebook with 30+ real-world phrases for ward communication, endoscopy, handovers, and inter-department coordination. Subscribe to Dream, Nurse, and Thrive in OZ so you don't miss the launch!
Join the Conversation
What's a moment when you missed an instruction and wished you had the right English phrase to ask? Or do you have a go-to clarifying phrase that works in your hospital? Drop a comment below — your experience could help another international nurse feel less alone.
If this post was useful, share it with a colleague who's starting their Australian nursing journey. And don't forget to subscribe to Dream, Nurse, and Thrive in OZ for weekly posts on Hospital English, clinical tips, immigration guidance, and Aussie nursing life.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on my personal experience as an internationally educated nurse (IEN) working in Queensland, Australia. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, immigration, or professional nursing advice. Clinical communication practices may vary between facilities and jurisdictions. For official nursing registration information, visit AHPRA. For Australian patient safety standards, visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. For immigration queries, visit Australian Department of Home Affairs.
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