Does a Physician‐Patient Language Difference Increase the Probability of Hospital Admission?

Abstract

SummaryThis case report emphasizes the varied manifestation of CO poisoning and its genesis from methylene chloride. Because DCM is now an ingredient in many popular spray paints, the ingredients should be checked routinely in toxic exposures. Manufacturer's suggestions concerning the use these products in ventilated areas to avoid harmful effects do not always protect the consumer, and the public should be well informed regarding this issue.

The Impact of Communication Barriers on Diagnostic Confidence and Ancillary Testing in the Emergency Department

“…Several studies have demonstrated that patients with little or no English skills are at risk of experiencing a barrier to health care in the United States such as poor compliance with primary prevention, medical treatment, and follow-up services (6). Language barriers are associated with increased testing, increased ED lengths of stay, and higher hospital admission rates (1)(2)(3). Consistent with prior literature, language discordance was the most common form of CB encountered in our study.…”

“…There is limited research addressing the effect of language barriers on diagnostic test utilization, ED length of stay, and hospital admission (1)(2)(3). We were unable to find studies that directly examine the effect of communication barriers (CBs) on the diagnostic power of the medical interview.…”

Linguistic Minorities in Canada and Health

“…Les faits indiquent que dans bien des cas, l'utilisation des services augmente quand il n'y a pas de langue commune entre le patient et l'intervenant. Lee et al (1998) ont entrepris une étude prospective par observation dans le but de déterminer si la disparité linguistique entre médecin et patient augmentait la probabilité d'une admission à l'hôpital après que le patient s'est présenté à l'urgence. Un échantillon de commodité de 1 000 patients a été évalué pour déterminer si la langue de communication préférée du patient était différente de celle de leur médecin de premier recours.…”

Errors in Medical Interpretation and Their Potential Clinical Consequences in Pediatric Encounters

“…Studies demonstrate a wide range of adverse effects that limited English proficiency can have on health and use of health services, including impaired health status, 6,18 a lower likelihood of having a usual source of medical care, 6,18,19 lower rates of mammograms, pap smears, and other preventive services, 20,21 nonadherence with medications, 7 a greater likelihood of a diagnosis of more severe psychopathology and leaving the hospital against medical advice among psychiatric patients, 5,22 a lower likelihood of being given a follow-up appointment after an emergency department visit, 23 an increased risk of intubation among children with asthma, 24 a greater risk of hospital admissions among adults, 25 an increased risk of drug complications, 26 longer medical visits, 27,28 higher resource utilization for diagnostic testing, 28 lower patient satisfaction, 18,29,30 and impaired patient understanding of diagnoses, medications, and follow-up. 31,32 Latino parents consider the lack of interpreters and Spanish-speaking staff to be the greatest barriers to health care for their children, and 1 out of every 17 parents in one study reported not bringing their child in for needed medical care because of these language issues.…”