Date Available

4-25-2024

Year of Publication

2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Julianne Ossege

Committee Member

Dr. Julianne Ewen

Abstract

Background: Barriers to accessing and understanding healthcare can place patients with low English proficiency at an increased risk of poor health outcomes. Language-based inequities in healthcare exist due to lack of interpretation and translation services available, lack of healthcare workers’ knowledge of resources, and/or perceptions that these services require too much time or effort. Failing to address barriers affecting this population leaves them vulnerable in the healthcare setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to educate nurses, providers, and staff on an inpatient unit at a rural hospital of the language interpretation resources available, best practices for implementation, and the importance of proper use.

Methods: This project used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. Participants were voluntarily gathered via a convenience sample and remained anonymous. The pretest, educational intervention, and posttest were distributed through the employee email listserv. Non-identifying demographic data including age, sex, certification, and years of experience were gathered to help determine how individual characteristics impacted results. Retrospective and prospective chart reviews were completed to identify non-English speaking patients presenting to the unit and the documentation of interpreter use pre- and post-education.

Results: There were improvements in all areas of interest including knowledge, attitudes, comfort, and satisfaction after implementation of an educational video. There was a statistically significant improvement in respondents’ intent to offer services (p = .02). Documentation of use of an interpreter was low in the retrospective chart review (24%) and in the prospective chart review (27%).

Conclusion: An educational video can be an effective way to improve knowledge regarding language access services. Education, in addition to the availability of a secondary method of communication, leads to improved intent to use. Consistent, standardized documentation is needed to verify increased rates of use.

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