The Importance of LEP Patient Safety
Did you know that patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are at greater risk for infection, falls, and surgical delays?
These potentially preventable incidents could affect roughly 25 million people who are identified as LEP within the United States.
Every life is sacred. However, in the current healthcare system, there are often disparities between the treatment of English-proficient and LEP patients.
If LEP patients do not receive quality language services (such as translation and/or interpretation) it is much more challenging for them to adequately consent to treatment, accurately follow further instructions, or orchestrate follow-up appointments.
The United Language Group has found that LEP patient safety is also jeopardized by longer average hospital stays and a higher rate of readmission after 30 days if adequate language services are not used.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the communication barriers LEP patients experience are “more likely to result in serious harm compared to English-speaking patients”.
These factors all pose a threat to patient safety during and after their treatment in any healthcare facility.
How to Reduce Safety Issues for LEP Patients
In order to decrease the likelihood of LEP patients experiencing the negative effects of communication barriers, healthcare settings can utilize these straightforward strategies.
1. Utilizing qualified medical interpreters (not family members)
Although well-intentioned, family members may not know how to accurately translate some of the more technical medical terminologies. Instead, quality language services can be used to provide the highest possibility of overcoming the language barrier between patient and care provider. If you’d like assistance finding qualified translators, contact my team so we can begin the process of helping you find the right services for your specific needs.
2. Training staff on how to work with interpreters
Once you have secured quality language services within your setting, it is crucial that your staff is trained on how to work together with them. By creating a culture where language services are respected and appreciated, patients and care providers can work harmoniously toward a healthy, successful outcome.
3. Translating vital information for patients and families
Once equitable verbal communications have taken place, it is equally important to provide accurate written communication. This may include directions for care at home, instructions for medication, or procedures for following up in the future. Being able to send this information home with the patient is crucial to their post-visit recovery.
4. Enhancing Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Ensuring that records reflect accurate information and communications is also important for patient care. By creating a system that allows English-proficient and LEP patients equal access to their past records, all patients, providers, and caregivers can remain informed. This also includes creating an effective method to document the two last names of many Latino patients to decrease confusion regarding identity.
5. Documenting complaints regarding language services
Although at first, this process sounds negative, it is actually quite the opposite. By ensuring that a system remains in place to collect complaints about language services, an organization can analyze its current practices and pinpoint ways to improve. All changes require a period of adjustment. Documenting complaints enhances patient safety by allowing for continual improvements to the system over time.
Next Steps: Find & Implement Quality Language Services
If you realize a need for higher-quality language services in your healthcare setting, we are here to help you find them! Click here to read more about our Language Access Implementation Program so you can begin helping more patients more equitably.
If you’re ready to take action now, click here to book an appointment with my team. We are honored to help improve your patients’ safety by connecting LEP patients with quality language services.
