What it means
In the United States, health care facilities that receive federal money must offer free, qualified language help to people with limited English proficiency (LEP). Language barriers raise the risk of errors, poor understanding of consent and teaching, and worse outcomes.
For the nurse
Use a qualified medical interpreterMED-ih-kul in-TER-prih-terA trained person who changes spoken or signed words from one language to another so clients and health care workers understand each other.Full entry (in person, by phone or video), not family members, and never children. Speak to the client, not the interpreter, in short sentences; give translated written materials; and confirm understanding with teach-backTEECH-bakA way to check understanding by asking the client to explain, in their own words, what they have just been taught.Full entry .
At a glance
| Also written | LEP |
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Related terms
health literacy
A person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about their health.
medical interpreter
A trained person who changes spoken or signed words from one language to another so clients and health care workers understand each other.
cultural competence
The ability to give care that respects and fits a client's culture, values, beliefs and language.
teach-back
A way to check understanding by asking the client to explain, in their own words, what they have just been taught.