Our study shows that 9-1-1 telecommunicators believe language barriers with LEP callers negatively impact communication and care outcomes. More research needs to be conducted on "best practices" for phone-based emergency communication with LEP callers. Additionally, LEP communities need to better understand the 9-1-1 system and how to effectively communicate during emergencies.

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Having 911 telecommunicators deliver CPR instructions increases cardiac arrest survival, but limited English proficiency (LEP) decreases the likelihood callers will perform CPR and increases time to first compression. The objective of our study was to assess which 9-1-1 CPR delivery modes could decrease time to first compression and improve CPR quality for LEP callers. 139 LEP Spanish and Chinese speakers were randomized into three arms: receiving CPR instructions from a 9-1-1 telecommunicator (1) with telephone interpretation, (2) using alternative, simple ways to rephrase, or (3) who strictly adhered to protocol language. Time interval from call onset to first compression, and CPR quality were the main outcomes. The CPR quality was poor across study arms. Connecting to interpreter services added almost 2 min to the time. CPR training in LEP communities, and regular CPR training for phone interpreters may be necessary to improve LEP bystander CPR quality.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an effective intervention for prehospital cardiac arrest. Despite all available training opportunities for CPR, disparities exist in participation in CPR training, CPR knowledge, and receipt of bystander CPR for certain ethnic groups. We conducted five focus groups with Chinese immigrants who self-reported limited English proficiency (LEP). A bilingual facilitator conducted all the sessions. All discussions were taped, recorded, translated, and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed by content analysis guided by the theory of diffusion. The majority of participants did not know of CPR and did not know where to get trained. Complexity of CPR procedure, advantages of calling 9-1-1, lack of confidence, and possible liability discourage LEP individuals to learn CPR. LEP individuals welcome simplified Hands-Only CPR and are willing to perform CPR with instruction from 9-1-1 operators. Expanding the current training to include Hands-Only CPR and dispatcher-assisted CPR may motivate Chinese LEP individuals to get trained for CPR.

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