How does language support (language ‘concordance’) affect healthcare outcomes?
Effects of interpretation services #
#languageConcordanceFactor/concordanceIntervention/interpretingServices
C-0006ClaimC-0006Initial AI draftInterpreting services reduce recurrence rates for patients with limited english proficiency #
There is fairly consistent empirical support for this at present.
For example, S-0031SourceS-0031Convenient Access to Professional Interpreters in the Hospital Decreases Readmission Rates and Estimated Hospital Expenditures for Patients With Limited English ProficiencyBackground: Twenty-five million people in the United States have limited English proficiency (LEP); this growing and aging population experiences worse outcomes when hospitalized. Federal requirements that hospitals prov… found that E-0080EvidenceE-0080Initial AI draftBedside interpreter telephone access lowered LEP 30-day readmission during intervention (OR 0.64)  Providing a dual-handset interpreter telephone at every LEP bedside was associated with a significant re…
Similarly, S-0044SourceS-0044Professional language interpretation and inpatient length of stay and readmission ratesBackground: The population of persons seeking medical care is linguistically diverse in the United States. Language barriers can adversely affect a patient's ability to explain their symptoms. Among hospitalized patients… found that EVD - Patients receiving interpretation at admission and or discharge were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days compared to patients receiving no interpretation
C-0007ClaimC-0007Initial AI draftPatients with limited english proficiency have shorter hospital stays when interpreting services are used #
There is mixed support for this at present.
On the one hand, S-0044SourceS-0044Professional language interpretation and inpatient length of stay and readmission ratesBackground: The population of persons seeking medical care is linguistically diverse in the United States. Language barriers can adversely affect a patient's ability to explain their symptoms. Among hospitalized patients… found that EVD - LEP patients who did not receive professional interpretation had increased LOS of between 0.75 and 1.47 days, compared to patients who had an interpreter
On the other hand, S-0031SourceS-0031Convenient Access to Professional Interpreters in the Hospital Decreases Readmission Rates and Estimated Hospital Expenditures for Patients With Limited English ProficiencyBackground: Twenty-five million people in the United States have limited English proficiency (LEP); this growing and aging population experiences worse outcomes when hospitalized. Federal requirements that hospitals prov… found that E-0081EvidenceE-0081Initial AI draftBedside interpreter telephone access had no significant effect on length of stay  The bedside interpreter telephone intervention had no significant impact on length of stay (LOS) for LEP…