Point-of-care communication for patients with limited language proficiency: A scoping review of healthcare interpretation applications.

OBJECTIVE: Linguistic diversity has the potential to create barriers for limited language proficiency (LLP) patients when navigating the healthcare system. When a verified interpretation method is utilized, there are improvements in LLP patient outcomes. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify articles that outline applications used for point-of-care tasks between LLP patients and providers. METHODS: The Arksey and O'Malley methodologic framework was utilized for study selection, data charting and analysis. Each application was evaluated on patient and provider satisfaction, overall feasibility, and time associated with interpretation. RESULTS: Eight peer-reviewed journals are included (four pilot studies, one prospective study, two participatory studies, and one mixed methods design). Applications ranged in number of unique phrases (32-1800 phrases) and number of languages supported (1-39 languages). Overall, the applications were feasible to use and assisted with basic communication between providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: As patients and families become more comfortable with using technology, interpretation applications provide an innovative approach to streamline the interpretation process for point-of-care healthcare encounters. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interpretation applications may increase an LLP patient's access to interpretation tools which can improve outcomes. Further studies should focus on implementing robust evaluation methods to assess these tools and evaluate the LLP patient's perspectives of interpretation applications.

Facilitating Communication in a Pediatric Surgery Center: Implementation of an Interactive Communication Board.

BACKGROUND: Increasing linguistic diversity has important implications for providers serving limited English proficiency (LEP) populations. LEP patients have decreased understanding, increased risk for adverse events, and lower healthcare satisfaction. Limited interpreting methods affect nurses' ability to provide efficient, culturally competent care. OBJECTIVE: An interactive communication board was implemented to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of LEP patient communication and increase nurse satisfaction with communication in a pediatric ambulatory surgery center. METHODS: A pre-post survey design evaluated the implementation of an interactive communication board. After a 3-month implementation period, post-surveys assessed nurse satisfaction, perception of time required to interpret nursing tasks, and feasibility of the tool. RESULTS: Nurses reported a 64% increase (2.27 ± 0.88 pre; 3.57 ± 0.76 post; p = 0.0007) in satisfaction with the interpretation process and a 43% increase (2.07 ± 0.70 pre; 3.50 ± 0.76 post; p = 0.0001) in their self-perceived ability to communicate with LEP populations post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Communication boards and similar tools can improve nurse satisfaction and streamline the interpretation process in peri-operative periods. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Similar tools could be implemented in other healthcare settings to increase communication efficiency between nurses and LEP populations. Further projects must be conducted to evaluate the experience and efficacy of this tool from the patient/caregiver perspective.