Breaking Barriers: How Language Services Advance Health Equity

Discover how integrating language services can improve healthcare access, reduce disparities, and enhance care for LEP patients

Health equity means that every individual has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. But for millions of people in the U.S. who have limited English proficiency (LEP), this is out of reach. Language barriers create obstacles to understanding medical conditions, following treatment plans, and making informed healthcare decisions.

In healthcare, equity isn’t only about providing equal resources to all patients. It’s about ensuring that services are accessible and effective based on individual needs. Without clear communication, non-English-speaking patients often receive subpar care, leading to worse health outcomes.

How Language Barriers Harm Patients

Nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. For millions of them, accessing healthcare without adequate language support is a daunting challenge. In fact, 1 in 5 LEP patients avoid seeking medical care accessing healthcare because they fear they won’t understand or be understood.

Here are some eye-opening figures.

• LEP patients are 40% more likely to suffer harm associated with an adverse event.

• They are 9 times more likely to struggle with understanding medical situations.
• They are 4 times more likely to misunderstand medication instructions and labels.

These communication gaps lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, unnecessary testing, and delayed care. Beyond the human cost, they also place a financial strain on the healthcare system through preventable complications and hospital readmissions.

Strategies to Improve Language Access in Healthcare

By taking intentional steps to improve language access, you can make sure that LEP patients receive the care they need without facing language barriers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to improving language access within your healthcare organization:

1. Chart the patient journey.

Where do patients first interact with your organization? Your website? A phone call? The check-in desk? If language access isn’t available from the start, patients are already at a disadvantage. Take a step back and audit your process.

2. Make interpreter access seamless.

Providing interpreters at admission and discharge is important. But what about during an emergency? A follow-up call? A routine consultation? Make sure interpreters are easy to access at every critical moment.

A tablet with on-demand video interpretation in exam rooms, for example, ensures that an interpreter is available in real time, regardless of the situation.

3. Train your team to use language services.

Language access is only effective if staff know when and how to use it. Make interpreter engagement part of your team’s routine: through onboarding, annual training, and everyday practice. The more comfortable they are with it, the better the patient experience.

4. Understand your community’s language needs.

Who are you serving? What languages do they speak? Community data can help you stock the right translated materials and ensure interpreters are available for the most in-demand languages.

5. Let patients know their rights.

Many LEP patients don’t realize they’re entitled to free medical interpretation. Clear signage, translated materials, and direct communication about language services can help patients request the support they need.

6. Use only certified medical interpreters

A well-meaning bilingual staff member or family member isn’t a substitute for a trained interpreter. Certified medical interpreters prevent dangerous miscommunications and protect patient confidentiality.

7. Identify and address care disparities.

Are LEP patients struggling to schedule appointments? Are they getting the same follow-up care as English-speaking patients? Look for patterns, listen to staff feedback, and adjust your approach to close those equity gaps.

8. Make language access a core value.

For real change to happen, language services should be embedded into your organization’s culture. That means budget allocation and ongoing strategy; not just a box to check.

Integrating Language Services into Key Hospital Processes

Here’s how to make language access a part of your daily operations.

1. Before the visit.

Healthcare access starts before a patient even steps into a hospital or clinic. Ensuring that LEP patients can schedule appointments and understand the process is crucial in improving accessibility to care. Here are some ways to support them:

• • Multilingual phone menus and appointment scheduling systems.
  • Translated intake forms and welcome materials.
  • Trained front-desk staff who can connect patients with interpreters.

2. During the visit.

Medical encounters are complex, and even small misunderstandings can have serious consequences. Relying on untrained individuals, such as family members, often leads to misinterpretation and missed details. To ensure patient safety, consider these solutions:

• • In-person, video, or phone interpretation services during exams and procedures.
  • Translated consent forms and medical instructions.

3. After the visit.

Even after an appointment, communication remains vital. If LEP patients don’t fully understand their provider’s instructions, they’ll struggle with medication adherence, which may lead to complications and readmissions. To improve outcomes, here are some key strategies:

• • Translated discharge summaries and medication instructions.
  • Follow-up calls in the patient’s preferred language.
  • Patient portals with multilingual functionality for appointment reminders and test results.

English as the Official Language of the U.S. – Potential Impact on Healthcare Access

The designation of English as the official language of the U.S. has raised concerns about its impact on LEP patients. Restricting language access in healthcare could lead to:

• Widening health disparities.
• Legal and ethical dilemmas for providers.
• Higher healthcare costs from due to preventable emergencies and complications.

Now more than ever, hospitals and healthcare providers must take action to ensure language barriers don’t compromise care. Our language solutions help you provide equitable, high-quality healthcare for every patient. Contact us today to get started.