Use of professional interpreters for patients with limited English proficiency undergoing surgery.
Despite evidence showing use of professional interpreters reduces disparities in care, they are not always utilized. This study investigated use of professional interpreters on patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) undergoing surgical procedures in one hospital. While 88% of patients utilized a professional interpreter at least once during their stay, only 3% used a professional interpreter at discharge. Given the complexity of post-surgical instructions, the researchers emphasize hospital discharge is an important area to improve rates of interpreter usage.