When it comes to healthcare, there’s an ongoing need for quality language services. And professionalism is of extreme importance. The need typically arises when limited English proficient patients need healthcare services and cannot communicate with healthcare professionals. But did you know that medical interpreters in hospitals work in a highly specialized field?
Professional medical interpreters are the men and women that help break down linguistic barriers between patients and their doctors. And in doing so, they ensure that patients with limited English proficiency receive the quality health care they need.
Sadly, the need for interpreting in hospitals is still widely misunderstood and underrated. So, to help set things straight, we’ve put together a list of some interesting facts that you might not have been aware of when it comes to medical interpreting in hospital settings!
Interpreting in Hospitals Provides Cover for LEP Patients
In 2013, it was estimated that the U.S. was home to about 61.6 million people that spoke a language other than English at home. Out of that group, roughly 25 million of them were classified as Limited English Proficient. Fast forward almost ten years later. That estimate easily expanded exponentially. And along with it, the demand for professional interpreters in hospitals has too.
The Price of Miscommunication
In 2015, a CRICO Strategies report indicated that out of 7,149 cases, 30% of medical malpractice lawsuits cite miscommunication. Just another reason why hospital interpreting is so important.
LEP Population Growth and Readmission Rates
Since 2000, the Asian population in America increased by 43.3%. The majority of which are LEP individuals. One also must remember that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to be readmitted for chronic conditions than their non-Hispanic counterparts. All of this can be avoided by breaking the language barrier from the start. How? Well, with quality interpreting services in hospitals and healthcare settings.
Medical Interpreters Promote Equal Access to Healthcare Services
Interpreters assist healthcare providers in understanding the cultural background of their patients. They also identify how cultural perceptions can influence their health-related decisions. It is also within an interpreter’s duties to educate the healthcare team members on the needs, duties, ethics, and practice protocol when interpreting for healthcare.
Unbiased and Accurate Communication
Patients might go through feelings of anxiety or pain when they have to make medical decisions. And not being sure of what they’re being told can intensify the severity of the problem. But communicating with patients through the services of experienced medical interpreters can help remove emotional bias or any additional drama to ensure the correct information is being conveyed.
Your Partner for Medical Interpreters
Day Interpreting offers a range of language services to healthcare clients to help them better communicate with their LEP patients. Our certified and highly experienced medical interpreters are available 24/7, 365 days of the year, regardless of whether you need over-the-phone, on-site, or video remote interpreting!
Day Interpreting’s interpretation services provide healthcare organizations with language access solutions to integrate certified medical interpreters into the healthcare team easily. Our proprietary technology ensures that there are no downtimes during national emergencies. It allows healthcare providers to get connected to qualified and certified medical interpreters in over 300 languages when and where you need them most.
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