Abstract
This “Notes from the Field” article discusses language assistance within healthcare during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Providing adequate language assistance within healthcare is fundamental. At Houston Methodist we learned that we could leverage existing technologies to address language needs of our COVID-19 patients with limited English proficiency during the pandemic when personal protective equipment was in limited supply across the United States. By leveraging the use of our existing technologies (ex. Telephone interpretation with wearable communication devices) we increased utilization of language assistance for our patients with limited English proficiency. We urge other healthcare organizations to re-evaluate their language assistance programs and leverage similar technologies to empower both clinicians and patients.
Highlights
The novel Coronavirus has shaken the walls of our health care infrastructure in the United States as unprecedented economic, social, and political factors continue to negatively impact the health of our nation
It is essential to continue caring for a diverse population of patients effectively and equitably, including patients with limited English proficiency (LEP)
Low-income and disadvantaged persons often suffer disproportionately during natural disasters and epidemics [1, 2], and the health disparities experienced by those with LEP will only increase in frequency if our current approach to health information delivery does not adapt
Summary
ABSTRACTThis “Notes from the Field” article discusses language assistance within healthcare during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Providing adequate language assistance within healthcare is fundamental. At Houston Methodist we learned that we could leverage existing technologies to address language needs of our COVID-19 patients with limited English proficiency during the pandemic when personal protective equipment was in limited supply across the United States. By leveraging the use of our existing technologies Telephone interpretation with wearable communication devices) we increased utilization of language assistance for our patients with limited English proficiency. We urge other healthcare organizations to re-evaluate their language assistance programs and leverage similar technologies to empower both clinicians and patients. Keywords Language assistance · Interpretation · Language rights · Coronavirus · Limited english proficiency · COVID-19
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