What's New | August 04, 2010

Language/Culture Matching

The proportion of the U.S. population with limited English proficiency (LEP) has nearly doubled from 1980 to 2000, and is projected to increase. Research has shown that language and cultural barriers complicate physician-patient communication and adversely affect health care quality.

To address this problem, new programs are matching patients with providers or health coaches who fit their language and/or cultural preferences, which can improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

The featured Innovations describe three programs that took different approaches to addressing patients' language and cultural needs.

The featured QualityTools describe practical resources designed to improve communication with a diverse patient population.

Featured Innovations:

• Insurer's Multifaceted Approach Facilitates Cultural and Linguistic Match Between Patient and Mental Health Provider, Leading to Higher Member Satisfaction

• Language Concordant Health Coaches Team with Residents to Help Improve Patients' Self Care Skills, Leading to Better Diabetes Management

• Physician Incentives, Targeted Recruitment, and Patient Matching Enhance Access to Language-Concordant Physicians for Patients With Limited English Proficiency

Featured QualityTools:

• Better Communication, Better Care: Provider Tools to Care for Diverse Populations
Developed by Health Industry Collaboration Effort , Inc.

• Diabetes Management
Developed by Chinese Community Health Resource Center

• Health Care Language Services Implementation Guide
Developed by Office of Minority Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Capitated System Identifies, Screens, and Treats Osteoporosis Risks, Preventing Hip Fractures, Saving Lives, and Reducing Costs

• Crisis Prevention Team Calms Agitated Patients in Psychiatric Units, Leading to a Reduction in the Use of Restraints and Seclusion and Fewer Injuries

• Patient Lift Team Program Reduces Injuries and Boosts Productivity Among Nurses

• Remote Viewing of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Babies by Mother Promotes Bonding, Potentially Improves Infants' Long-Term Outcomes

• Statewide Collaborative Supports Hospital-Based Teams in Developing Improvement Plans for Stroke Care, Resulting in Improved Performance on Select Measures

• VA Patients Use Waiting Room Kiosk to Enter Medication List, Facilitating Reconciliation With Electronic Medical Record and Identifying More Discrepancies

QualityTools >

• Creating a Personal Medical Record
Developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Performance Improvement (PI) Plan and Template
Developed by Health Care Association of New Jersey