ber violates patient confidentiality protocols.
5. Document the interpretation
As you can see from the cases at the beginning of this article, docu-
mentation is critical. Record exactly when you used the interpreter,
how the interpretation was done (in person, on video, by phone) and
the interpreter's name. If you must rely on a staff member to interpret,
document why you made that decision.
6. Give out intelligible takeaways
Create bilingual discharge instructions and patient education materi-
als, using the languages most common in your area. Discharge
instructions, in particular, should be in both English and the alterna-
tive language, because when patients are referred for home health
services, home healthcare nurses who don't speak their language
need to also be able to read the discharge instructions. The better
your LEP patients understand their discharge instructions, the less
likely they are to be readmitted or visit the emergency department.
21-
22
7. Be sure patients understand their medications
We all know that post-op medications confuse even English-speaking
patients. It's even harder for LEP patients.
23-24
If possible, medication
instructions should be in the patient's first language. Reviewing the
medications with the help of an interpreter and then having patients
teach back the instructions helps improve compliance and reduce
complications related to medication errors.
26
8. Hire staff who speak your patients' languages
If you have professional staff members who speak the language of
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