Meeting the Needs of Limited English Proficiency Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Hurtig ◽  
Emily Czerniejewski ◽  
Laura Bohnenkamp ◽  
Jiyoung Na
Keyword(s):  
Limited English Proficiency ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
University Of Iowa ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Optimal Approach ◽  
The University

Abstract The number of patients in U.S. hospitals with limited English proficiency (LEP) is growing. There is a body of evidence that suggests that inadequate patient-provider communication is responsible for a range of adverse events, including death. In recognition of this, the Joint Commission has set standards requiring hospitals to address the communication needs of the diverse hospitalized population. Although the optimal approach for LEP patients would involve having certified interpreters at the bedside around the clock, this is unfortunately not practically or economically feasible. Speech-generating devices (SGDs) can offer patients a means of communicating with their caregivers and an opportunity to participate more actively in their care. The University of Iowa Assistive Devices Lab has developed a series of bilingual communication templates suited for use in acute and critical care settings. They developed these templates for use by LEP patients who are speakers of diverse languages, as well as by Deaf patients who use a sign language as their primary means of communication.

Improving Patient Safety and Patient–Provider Communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1017-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Hurtig ◽  
Rebecca M. Alper ◽  
Karen N. T. Bryant ◽  
Krista R. Davidson ◽  
Chelsea Bilskemper
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Acute Care Settings ◽  
Nurses Perceptions ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Many hospitalized patients experience barriers to effective patient–provider communication that can negatively impact their care. These barriers include difficulty physically accessing the nurse call system, communicating about pain and other needs, or both. For many patients, these barriers are a result of their admitting condition and not of an underlying chronic disability. Speech-language pathologists have begun to address patients' short-term communication needs with an array of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies. Method This study used a between-groups experimental design to evaluate the impact of providing patients with AAC systems so that they could summon help and communicate with their nurses. The study examined patients' and nurses' perceptions of the patients' ability to summon help and effectively communicate with caregivers. Results Patients who could summon their nurses and effectively communicate—with or without AAC—had significantly more favorable perceptions than those who could not. Conclusions This study suggests that AAC can be successfully used in acute care settings to help patients overcome access and communication barriers. Working with other members of the health care team is essential to building a “culture of communication” in acute care settings. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9990962

The Need for Nurse Training to Promote Improved Patient-Provider Communication for Patients With Complex Communication Needs

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Downey ◽  
Mary Beth Happ
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract Hospitalized patients across the age continuum often present with complex communication needs (CCN) due to motor, sensory, cognitive, and linguistic barriers they may experience during their admission. Although hospitals recognize the need to enhance communication to improve quality and safety for all patients, the emphasis has been primarily on improving ”care coordination” amongst the health care providers the patient encounters across all points of admission. Most hospitals have yet to focus on improving the patient-provider communication experience, especially for patients with CCN. However, this population no longer can be ignored, as new standards mandate efforts to improve communication for patients with CCN. Nurses, as the team members responsible for continuous care during hospital stays, and speech-language pathologists, as communication disorders specialists, are positioned distinctively to facilitate patient communication and prevent miscommunications between patients and care providers. This article highlights the need to enhance the patient-provider communication experience for patients with CCN. We review the state of nurse training for patients with CCN, discuss the role speech-language pathologists can play in developing and implementing nurse training protocols, and outline basic elements nurse training modules should include.

Influence of English proficiency on patient-provider communication and shared decision-making

Surgery ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 163 (6) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anghela Z. Paredes ◽  
Jay J. Idrees ◽  
Eliza W. Beal ◽  
Qinyu Chen ◽  
Emily Cerier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Provider Communication

A Demographic Study of AAC/AT Needs in Hospitalized Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Zubow ◽  
Richard Hurtig
Keyword(s):  
Census Data ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
University Of Iowa ◽  
Augmentative Alternative Communication ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Demographic Study ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract In 2012, the Joint Commission issued a mandate that accredited hospitals must take into consideration the needs of patients with complex communication needs. Stemming from this mandate came recommendations for hospitals to collect baseline data of the number of individuals in their care with complex communication needs. This is a demographic study in response to their recommendation. Researchers at the University of Iowa sampled the electronic medical records of patients across 7 days to determine the number of patients who met candidacy requirements for augmentative alternative communication or assistive technology. Our census data indicate there is a significant need for patients in acute care settings to have access to alternative communication and the nurse call systems. The need appears to be greater in the intensive care units, but is not limited to this patient population. Overall, patients had greater AT needs than AAC needs in all locations. We recommend future research to investigate service delivery models to improve communication barriers that may exist between hospital staff and patients.

scholarly journals Understanding the Patient-Provider Communication Needs and Experiences of Latina and Non-Latina White Women Following an Abnormal Mammogram

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamile Molina ◽  
Sarah D. Hohl ◽  
Linda K. Ko ◽  
Edgar A. Rodriguez ◽  
Beti Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Women ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Abnormal Mammogram ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Communication Needs

Continuity of Care: University of Iowa Cleft Lip/Palate Interdisciplinary Team

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Canady ◽  
Mary E. Means ◽  
Ivan Wayne ◽  
Sue Ann Thompson ◽  
Lynn C. Richman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Genetic Counselor ◽  
University Of Iowa ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Cleft Lip Palate ◽  
The University ◽  
Strong Agreement

Introduction: Patient satisfaction with the continuity of care is an important aspect of care delivery that may be evaluated to assess team effectiveness. This study was conducted to evaluate the number of patients seen by each team member, and the patients’ perceived importance of continued care by the same health care provider during their overall treatment. Methods: A survey was constructed by the members of the Cleft Lip/Palate Team at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. One hundred and thirty-eight subjects were invited to participate during consecutive clinic days over a 5-month period; 101 subjects (73.1%) responded. Results: The survey revealed that the percentage of patients seen by each member of the team ranged from 92.1% (93/101) for the surgeon to 24.8% (25/101) for the genetic counselor. Strong agreement with continuity of care by health professionals ranged from 85.6% (83/97) for the surgeon, 63.7% (58/91) for the orthodontist, 63% (17/27) for the psychologist, to 23.1% (19/82) for the audiologist. The percentages dropped somewhat if the patients thought that they may have to wait longer for their next appointment. Conclusion: There is a strong preference for continuity of health care.

scholarly journals Improving Outcomes for Hospitalized Patients Pre- and Post-COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1577-1585
Author(s):  
Richard R. Hurtig ◽  
Rebecca Alper ◽  
Tami Altschuler ◽  
Sarah Gendreau ◽  
Jessica Gormley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Technology Intervention ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Barriers to effective patient–provider communication increase the risk that a patient will experience a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) that will negatively impact the patient's health outcomes. Providing patients with communication tools can significantly reduce the risks of experiencing HACs. This article describes how barriers to effective patient–provider communication can impact patient outcomes and reports on the incidence of HACs in patients who received assistive technology to address barriers to patient–provider communication. This topic is of critical relevance, as the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the number of patients who face communication barriers and the accompanying challenges encountered by their health care providers. Method/Approach The researchers compared the number of expected HACs based on previously obtained data to the number of HACs reported among patients who received an assistive technology intervention. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 on patient–provider communication was discussed through the provision of case descriptions from frontline speech-language pathologists who have worked in COVID-19 intensive care units. Results The patients who received the assistive technology intervention had a significantly lower incidence of HACs than what would be expected in hospital settings. Clinicians working directly with patients with COVID-19 identified suggestions on how both patients and providers can address the barriers to effective patient–provider communication. Conclusion A key to better patient outcomes and lower health care costs will require making the provision of communication tools part of the standard of care for all patients facing barriers to communication.

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