Professional language interpretation and inpatient length of stay and readmission rates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

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, these barriers may lead to higher readmission rates and longer hospitalizations. Trained interpreters help overcome communication barriers; however, interpreter usage among patients is suboptimal.

Objective

To investigate differences among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in their length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission rate associated with their receiving professional interpretation at admission or discharge.

Design

We analyzed the rates of interpretation at admission and discharge of all LEP patients admitted to a tertiary care ho

SUBMITTER: Lindholm M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3445680 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature