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.