A lack of reliable data on language can make it hard for providers, hospitals, and public health organizations to effectively study and improve care.
Over 8% of the U.S. population is considered limited-English proficient (they cannot read, speak, or understand English well enough to communicate without an interpreter). That means for almost 26 million people in the U.S., getting high-quality care is not guaranteed, even after they arrive in a hospital or healthcare setting.
A 2007 study found that for limited-English proficient (LEP) patients, almost half of adverse events in a hospital setting (49.1%) resulted in physical harm. By contrast, someone who speaks English well or very well was 40% less likely to experience physical harm after an adverse event in the same setting. The same concerns for patient safety and language access have been observed in multiple studies over the years.
Multiple studies confirm the fact that patients with LEP are more likely to experience negative health outcomes because of communication barriers. However, a lack of reliable data in this area can make it hard for providers, hospitals, and public health organizations to effectively study and improve care.
Data can help organizations and researchers:
Every healthcare organization should have a process to identify and document a patient’s English proficiency. The information should be consistent across all aspects of patient care, including the emergency room, urgent care, clinical care, and inpatient or outpatient hospital care. Organizations should also document:
In 2006, the Joint Commission — which accredits and certifies over 22,000 healthcare organizations in the U.S. — established specific accreditation standards for entering language and communication needs in a medical record. That standard is now part of their accreditation process.
Effective communication is one of the most critical tools that patients and providers have for optimizing care and reducing the chance of adverse events and negative health outcomes. Many providers have limited time to spend with each patient, so accurate and direct communication becomes even more important.
With effective communication, patients can:
For millions of LEP patients, the ability to communicate with a provider can also have very real and lasting consequences. In a three-year study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, researchers found that LEP patients without access to a professional interpreter stayed in the hospital almost twice as long as those who had one. Professional interpreters also reduced readmission rates by more than 38%.
Studies of taped and transcribed pediatric encounters found that medical interpretation errors put a patient at risk of negative clinical consequences. That risk was significantly higher if the person translating was not a trained medically qualified interpreter. Patient safety is significantly impacted when someone cannot understand:
One of the most effective ways to eliminate language barriers that lead to adverse events is to have a qualified medical interpreter available for LEP patients. Hospitals or healthcare organizations are required by law to cover the cost of these services and cannot pass these costs along to the patient.
There is a common (but mistaken) belief that if someone else can interpret for a patient, they don’t need a professional interpreter. These ad hoc interpreters may be a bilingual staff member or someone the patient knows, such as a friend, family member, parent, or child. This presents significant problems when they are asked to interpret in a medical setting.
The use of an ad hoc interpreter can lead to serious and, in some cases, deadly mistakes. Research shows that ad hoc interpreters may:
Ad hoc interpreters are also far more likely to commit an error that has “clinical significance,” meaning it could affect the outcome for treatment in a negative way. That can lead to longer hospital stays, more complications, and can even result in death or permanent disability.
Qualified medical interpreters are specifically trained to interpret in a healthcare setting. They demonstrate a specific level of language proficiency in two languages but also have specialized training and experience with medical terminology and phraseology. They also understand patient privacy laws and confidentiality. They are trained to communicate:
Use of a medically qualified interpreter improves the care you provide to LEP patients. These interpreters can help with all aspects of care, from scheduling and patient intake to discharge and follow-up care. As patient access expands to include virtual care through telemedicine and telehealth, the use of qualified medical interpreters must extend to this care as well.
GLOBO's team of highly trained professional interpreters can help you provide the best care for patients and ensure your high standards for quality are available to everyone in your healthcare setting, regardless of English proficiency. Talk to us today to learn more about how we can help you standardize and improve care for LEP patients.
Take our brief Language Access Impact Survey and in exchange, we’ll send you a $5 gift to enjoy a coffee on us -- plus a copy of the report when it’s complete.