DID YOU KNOW? Utilizing proper interpreting services in the healthcare industry can help reduce costs and increase patient satisfaction. The list below illustrates several ways in which reliable interpreting can benefit your healthcare organization:
- Reducing medical errors: Clear communication between patients and healthcare providers is critical to avoid misunderstandings and prevent errors. With professional interpreters facilitating accurate communication, the risk of misdiagnosis and improper treatment decreases, leading to fewer costly medical complications.
- Preventing readmissions: Effective communication through interpretation helps to ensure patients understand their treatment plans, medications, and follow-up instructions. When patients have a clear understanding of their care, they are more likely to adhere to treatment regimens, which reduces the likelihood of readmissions and associated costs.
- Improving efficiency: Interpreting services allow healthcare professionals to communicate efficiently with patients who have limited English proficiency or hearing impairments. This can streamline the patient care process, reduce appointment times, and optimize healthcare resources.
- Avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures: By using interpreters, healthcare providers can obtain accurate medical histories and symptoms from their patients, leading to more targeted diagnostic tests and appropriate treatments, thus saving costs while preventing miscommunications due to language barriers.
- Achieving legal compliance: Providing interpreting services is a legal requirement to ensure compliance with language access regulations, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the CLAS standards. By meeting these requirements, healthcare facilities avoid potential penalties and legal issues.
- Increasing patient satisfaction: When patients can communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, they feel heard, understood, and valued. This positive experience enhances patient satisfaction, leading to improved patient loyalty and potentially attracting new patients to the healthcare facility.
- Enhancing patient engagement: Clear communication enables patients to actively participate in the decisions of their care and treatment plans. When patients feel more engaged in their healthcare journey, they are more likely to follow recommended treatments, which results in better health outcomes.