Making the Case for LAS

2008. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Promoting Effective Communication: Language Access Services in Health Care. IN Joint Commission Perspectives. Vol. 28(2). P. 8-11.

This short article makes a concise and strong case for healthcare organization as to why it is important for healthcare organizations to address language barriers into promoting safe and high-quality care, and to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, providing citations to studies and laws. The article then goes on to break down how to address language barriers. First, assess the organization's population's language and communication needs; then determine the type and assortment of language services to provide (interpreters, written materials, communication boards, and signage and wayfinding). There is a list of resources for language access services provided at the end of the document.

Bancroft, M. A., Rayes, B. How to Appeal to the Evidence When Justifying Language Services. Cross-Cultural Communications and Medical Interpreter Project at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

This article is useful for activists and individuals working to make a case for and improve language services. It covers common basic arguments used to undermine the value or importance of language services, matched with evidence and counter-arguments. This is followed by other reasons whey to support language services, and ends with an annotated bibliography of relevant research.

2009. Fact sheet: Disparities in health care quality among racial and ethnic minority groups: Findings from the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Advancing Excellence in Health Care. www.ahrq.gov.

This short fact sheet provides details about health disparities by different ethic groups. One section is dedicated to limited English proficiency as a barrier to quality health care.

2003. Flores, G., et al. Errors in medical interpretation and their potential clinical consequences in pediatric encounters. IN Pediatrics. Vol. 3(1). P. 6-14.

This article describes a study done on errors made in medical interpretation in pediatric encounters. Conclusions of the study are that "errors in medical interpretation are common, averaging 31% per clinical encounter, and omissions are the most frequent type. Most errors have potential clinical consequences, and those committed by ad hoc interpreter are significantly more likely to have potential clinical consequences than those committed by hospital interpreters. Because errors by ad hoc interpreters are more likely to have potential clinical consequences, third-party reimbursement for trained interpreter services should be considered for patients with limited English proficiency".

Stories: Making the Case for Language Services. One-page excerpt from Language Services Action Kit.

This compilation of stories demonstrating the dangers of not providing language appropriate services in health care. An excerpt taken from the Language Services Action Kit.

Funding Sources for Language Access Services. Excerpt from: A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Health Care Organizations.

"This document presents information and resources on funding for language access services through: federal, state, local, and other funding sources; Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) coverage; Medicare coverage; Coverage for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics; and sample costs for language access services.”

Please contact Katrina Badger at: katrinabadger@reachnola.org with any additional resources to add to the website or any questions.