Stratus Video Interpreting Finds Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Linked To Increased Healthcare Risks

Numerous healthcare studies and cases reveal limited English proficient (LEP) patients face a greater risk of medical errors and adverse events; Stratus Video Interpreting says these findings underscore the need for qualified professional interpretation services to ensure patient safety.

A growing body of evidence reveals that patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) are at greater risk for adverse events, medical errors and potential physical harm in healthcare settings ^{(1, 2, 3)}; yet researchers have found that many patients’ language needs remain unmet or improperly addressed ⁽⁴⁾. Stratus Video Interpreting (http://www.stratusvideo.com/), a leading provider of on-demand interpretation services, asserts that the findings emphasize an immediate need for qualified medical interpreters, better evaluation and identification of language needs, and greater awareness and usage of language support services.

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States speaks English less than “very well” and is therefore classified as LEP ⁽⁵⁾. Research has shown that communication issues are the most common cause of serious adverse events reported to the Joint Commission (2), with nearly 50% of LEP patient events involving physical harm, versus only 29.5% of events for English-speaking patients ⁽¹⁾. Furthermore, the proportion of interpretation errors with potential clinical consequences is significantly higher when inadequate interpreter services are used: 20% for no interpreters and 22% for ad hoc interpreters, versus 12% for professional interpreters ⁽³⁾.

At the same time, a study of South Florida hospitals found that professional interpretation services often remain underused, even when available. Approximately 80% of respondents admitted to relying on a patient’s family members or friends for interpretation at least occasionally; in fact, the most commonly cited source of interpretation services was a patient’s companion—over 45% of respondents “frequently used” companions as interpreters for Spanish-speaking patients and nearly 25% did so for other languages—followed by non-certified bilingual hospital staff ⁽⁴⁾.

“Despite federal laws requiring equal language access, many healthcare facilities continue to put patients in danger by failing to provide qualified medical interpreters for every LEP patient,” said David Fetterolf, President of Stratus Video Interpreting. “It’s not enough to have professional interpretation services available; it’s essential for every member of staff to understand how and when to use them.”

Fetterolf maintains that hospitals need to have better systems for identifying patients with limited English proficiency and ensuring that they receive proper language support. He also notes the importance of educating staff on the risks of using informal interpreters and the procedures for connecting patients with a qualified interpreter.

Stratus enables healthcare facilities to consistently meet the needs of LEP patients with certified healthcare interpreter services (http://www.stratusvideo.com/healthcare-interpreter-services-overview/) in nearly 200 languages, including video remote interpreting (VRI) for more than a dozen commonly spoken languages used by 96% of America’s LEP population. More than 15% of the nation’s healthcare systems currently use Stratus’ medical interpreters. Fetterolf says VRI is growing at a rapid pace, and he predicts it will soon account for half of the estimated $2B interpretation services industry.

“Our highly trained interpreters give a voice to the voiceless. They provide information, comfort, advocacy and support, allowing people from different cultures to connect in a simple, immediate way,” added Fetterolf.

About Stratus Video Interpreting
Stratus Video Interpreting provides on-demand interpreter services by using technology to connect clients with interpreters in over 175 spoken and signed languages in less than 30 seconds. Stratus’ cloud-based video solution delivers an array of unique features to virtually any Internet-enabled PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet. Stratus clients use the technology to connect with their own staff interpreters, as well as with Stratus interpreters, who have years of healthcare and courtroom experience and hold multiple certifications. With Stratus, state-of-the-art video remote interpreting is made available with virtually no capital investment. Stratus averages 65,000 video calls a day, up from 40,000 in mid-2013. Stratus Video is the sister company of The Z (CSDVRS, LLC, dba ZVRS), which was established in 2006 and developed by and for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, setting the industry standard as the nation’s premier Video Relay Service Provider and the first VRS Provider to receive a 5-year certification from the FCC. In 2014, Stratus was recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies, ranking #3,827 on Inc.magazine’s Inc. 5000 list. For more information, visit www.stratusvideo.com.

1. Divi, Chandrika; Richard G. Koss; et al. “Language Proficiency and Adverse Events in US Hospitals: A Pilot Study”; International Journal for Quality in Healthcare; February 2, 2007. intqhc.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/2/60.full
2. Betancourt,Joseph R.; Megan R. Renfrew; et al. Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency: A Guide for Hospitals; September 2012. ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/hospital/lepguide/lepguide.pdf
3. Flores, Glenn; Milagros Abreu; et al. “Errors of Medical Interpretation and Their Potential Clinical Consequences: A Comparison of Professional Versus Ad Hoc Versus No Interpreters”; Annals of Emergency Medicine; November 2012. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22424655
4. Tschurtz, Brette A.; Richard G. Koss; et al. “Language Services in Hospitals: Discordance in Availability and Staff Use”; Journal of Healthcare Management; December 2011. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22201202
5. U.S. Census Bureau. “Language Spoken at Home”; 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; accessed July 27, 2015. factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_5YR/S1601/0100000US