Effect of language interpretation modality on throughput and mortality for critical care patients: A retrospective observational study

Abstract

Objective Limited data exist describing possible delays in patient transfer from the emergency department (ED) as a result of language barriers and the effects of interpretation services. We described the differences in ED length of stay (LOS) before intensive care unit (ICU) arrival and mortality based on availability of telephone or in‐person interpretation services. Methods Using an ICU database from an urban academic tertiary care hospital, ED patients entering the ICU were divided into groups based on primary language and available interpretation services (in‐person vs telephone). Non‐parametric tests were used to compare ED LOS and mortality between groups. Results Among 22,422 included encounters, English was recorded as the primary language for 51% of patients (11,427), and 9% of patients (2042) had a primary language other than English. Language was not documented for 40% of patients (8953). Among encounters with patients with non‐English primary languages, in‐person interpretation was available for 63% (1278) and telephone interpretation was available for 37% (764). In the English‐language group, median ED LOS was 292 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 205–412) compared with 309 minutes (IQR, 214–453) for patients speaking languages with in‐person interpretation available and 327 minutes (IQR, 225–463) for patients speaking languages with telephone interpretation available. Mortality was higher among patients with telephone (15%) or in‐person (11%) interpretation available compared with patients who primarily spoke English (9%). Conclusions Patients with primary languages other than English who were critically ill spent a median of 17 to 35 more minutes in the ED before ICU arrival and experienced higher mortality rates compared with patients who spoke English as a primary language.

Non-English primary language and disparities in stroke outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy: a single institution study

“…Data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, however, showed that patients requiring interpreters had comparable discharge outcomes but poorer health-related quality of life compared to patients not requiring interpreters (Kilkenny et al, 2018). The effect of language barrier on ED length of stay has also been evaluated in non-stroke populations where critically ill, non-English speaking patients were reported to spend an average of 17-35 more minutes in the ED before arriving to ICU leading to higher mortality rates (Oca et al, 2021).…”

Demand Analysis of English Language Service Value Based on Data Mining Ecosystem

“…As for its explicit and implicit benefits, some scholars believe that the value of language essence refers to its implicit benefits, namely its importance, standardization, language history, civilization, information, recorded text data, etc. The specific expression of its application value is also a focus of scholars' attention, generally divided into language and social function [8], such as the number of uses, scope, and related benefits. Some scholars believe that "language resources have implicit and explicit benefits.…”

Strategies Used by Healthcare Systems to Communicate with Hospitalized Patients and Families with Limited English Proficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

“…Consequently, patients with LEP face significant disparities. Hospitalized patients with LEP are at a higher risk of adverse medical events [6], have less fully documented informed consent [7], longer hospital and ICU stays [8,9], higher readmission rates [9][10][11], and increased ICU mortality rates [12]. At end of life, patients with LEP are more likely to receive mechanical ventilationand are less likely to receive a comfort measures order set [8].…”