Improving Language Preference Identification for Limited English Proficient Families of Hospitalized Patients

Background: In 2009-2013, over 25 million Americans self-reported themselves as speaking English less than “very well,” defined as Limited English Proficiency (LEP) by the US Census Bureau. Reliably identifying language preference in order to appropriately utilize interpreter services is essential for patient safety, equity, and patient and family satisfaction. Objectives: We aimed to achieve in 6 months a 75% concordance rate between language preference screened at intake and language preference obtained on confirmatory screening, for patients and their caregivers admitted to the Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) service at a …