Factors associated with utilisation of health care interpreting services and the impact on length of stay and cost: A retrospective cohort analysis of audit dat
@Morris_2021_Factors_associatedAbstract results
Each result the abstract reports — is it captured as evidence?
Interpreting services were utilised at least once for 54.4% (n = 43) of admissions.
Females were more likely to receive an interpreter (65.1% vs 47.1%, P = .04).
Age, preferred language, hospital, Diagnosis-Related Group partition and comorbidities were not associated with interpreter service utilisation.
suggested · 21% Among admitted LEP patients who required an interpreter, sex was the only socio-demographic or clinical characteristic associated
Differences in length of stay and cost associated with use of interpreter services were not statistically significant after casemix adjustment.
Approximately half of those who required an interpreter received one during their hospital stay.
suggested · 21% Across 79 hospital stays by admitted patients who required an interpreter, more than half received one at least once during admiss
Further investigation is needed to establish whether regular clinical audits contributed to this rate of utilisation, which is higher than reported elsewhere in the literature.
SO WHAT?: A detailed understanding of regional interpreting service use with evidence from the literature provides compelling and contextual evidence for change, at the level at which the service is delivered.
This supports meaningful action to increase utilisation, and improve the quality and safety of health care delivered to patients with limited English proficiency.