We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Diverse Language Needs Challenge U.S. Hospitals

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Aug 2016
Print article
A new study reveals that more than a third of the hospitals in the United States do not offer patients language assistance, and in areas with the greatest need, about 25% of facilities fail to provide such services.

Researchers at San Diego State University (SDSU; CA, USA) and the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA) examined survey data collected from 4,514 hospitals nationwide by the American Hospital Association (AHA, Washington, DC, USA), categorizing the hospitals as to whether they offered language services, and by their ownership status (private not-for-profit, private for-profit, or government-owned). The researchers also calculated the number of residents with low English proficiency in the facilities’ service areas, using census data collected from 2009 to 2013.

The researchers found that 69% of hospitals offered language services and that hospitals serving areas with moderate needs provided proportionately more assistance than facilities located in both low- and high-need areas. Private not-for-profit hospitals were the facilities most likely to offer language services, but in areas with the greatest need about 36% did not have systems in place. And less than 20% of government-owned and private for-profit hospitals o offered language aid. The researchers found no pattern to explain which facilities provided language assistance. The study was published in the August 2016 issue of Health Affairs.

“Based on civil rights law, any hospital receiving federal funds must have language services available for its patients. However, many patients do not know their right to access language services, which could become more challenging as private for-profit hospitals continue to grow in market share,” concluded lead author associate professor Melody Schiaffino, MPH, PhD, of SDSU, and colleagues. “A lot of hospitals probably are not aware of the change in diversity and the scale of diversity in their community as they think. To receive a diagnosis in the language that you prefer is not an unreasonable request.”

According to the study, 60 million people in the United States claim a primary language other than English, and 24 million of them have limited English proficiency, experiencing barriers to health care because of their inability to communicate effectively with providers. Hospitals are required to provide language services that reflect the needs of people in their communities, but these services are not available systematically.

Related Links:
San Diego State University
University of Florida
American Hospital Association
Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
High Power Laser System
Dornier Thulio

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.