Practice Change

  • Prioritize use of certified bilingual healthcare providers by providing continuing education coursework about interpretation skills and cultural competency
  • If no bilingual providers are available, utilize nationally certified medical interpreters as much as possible
  • When neither certified bilingual healthcare providers nor certified medical interpreters are available, utilize telephonic or video interpreters for all patient interactions
  • Do NOT rely on bilingual family members, limited patient English proficiency or ad hoc interpreters to interpret any interactions with healthcare providers
  • Include patient and family members in education process upon admission by encouraging them to request interpreter services and providing them with information about patient rights to high-quality interpreter services