System Analysis of Communication with Hospitalized Spanish-Speaking Patients with Limited English Proficiency

This paper presents a study of the documentation of the methods of interpretation and instruction utilized for Spanish-speaking patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) who were hospitalized in a middle Georgia hospital. Hospital employees have been instructed by the hospital administration to utilize a telephone interpreter service as their primary interpretation resource; a reference list of local Spanish-language interpreters is available in the Human Resources Department and in the hospital\u27s computer information system to be utilized if needed . Data were collected from a small random sample of inpatient medical records selected by Health Information Services to determine whether these services are being utilized and documented as well as to examine any other documented methods of interpretation and instruction. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the practice and documentation of Spanish interpretation at this facility