Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for January 6 to January 19

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information.

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Language Access is a Civil Right:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland has launched an investigation into violations of Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act, a federal mandate that prohibits discrimination based on language or nationality and requires that language access be provided by any local, regional or national organization receiving federal funding. Nationwide, the ACLU reports that about 1,500 anti-immigrant ordinances were introduced by local lawmakers last year, touching on topics including education, employment, housing and voting rights.

Leading interpretation company Language Line Services works with local governments and hospitals throughout the country to ensure that the needs of their limited-English speaking constituents are met. Representatives from Language Line Services and the local municipalities they serve are available to discuss the importance of providing language access and the overall impact of anti-immigration policies.

For more information or to arrange interviews contact Jeanine Karp at 305-785-0424 or jeanine.karp@rbbpr.com.

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New Year Marks “New Day” for California Health Plans: 

Effective January 1, 2009, California managed health care plans are now required to have their language assistance programs up and running, giving millions of enrollees with limited English proficiency far greater access to health insurance information in their native languages.

Government agencies and health plans across the country are watching to see how this industry-wide mandate unfolds in California.  Language Line Services has consulted with several California health plans to help them achieve compliance with Senate Bill 853 requirements.

Company representatives are available to talk about this massive industry effort to overcome language barriers, the challenges health plans faced, and some of the best practices in language access that developed as a result. To schedule interviews, contact Shawn Yanan at 305-962-1768 or shawn.yanan@rbbpr.com.

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Study Finds Interpreters to be a Grossly Underused Medical Resource:

Despite a volume of undisputed research that failure to use a qualified professional interpreter in medical situations compromises the quality of patient care, many physicians still fail to use readily available interpreters with their non-English speaking patients. Instead, many physicians opt to “get by” on their own limited foreign language skills or by using a patient’s friend or family member, according to recent research by the Yale School of Public Health.

Increasing the use of interpreters by hospital physicians will require "substantial" changes in hospital practice, the study finds. Leading over-the-phone and video interpretation provider Language Line Services works with thousands of hospitals throughout the country to create language assistance programs that increase hospital physicians’ use of certified medical interpreters as a diagnostic and treatment resource, ensuring patients have access to interpreters in more than 170 languages.

Representatives from Language Line Services and the hospitals they serve are available to discuss the current state of language access in America’s hospitals and the new innovative language tools now available to improve the quality of care for limited-English speaking patients. For more information or to arrange interviews contact Jeanine Karp at 305-785-0424 or jeanine.karp@rbbpr.com.

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Bilingual Questionnaires Bridge Language Gap Between Physicians and Patients:

Walk into a doctor’s office for the first time or into any emergency room looking for care and you will be asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire, assuming you speak English.

Self-administered health questionnaires exist to serve the goals of increased efficiency, increased patient safety, and enhanced documentation. They are ubiquitous but typically limited to same provider/patient language constraints.

As a result, limited English speaking patients may suffer from inefficient, inaccurate, and incomplete transfer of health information between provider and patient. 

A Language Line Services representative is available to discuss the advent of new technologies that make bilingual self-administered health questionnaires easily accessible and their valuable role in overcoming language barriers in the healthcare setting. For more information, contact Shawn Yanan at (305) 962-1768 or at shawn.yanan@rbbpr.com.

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ABOUT LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English speakers.

The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning translation, transcription, phone and video interpretation, interpreter certification, localization and localized software and devices, enabling clients to communicate with customers in their preferred language.

Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services provides support for more than 170 languages to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including health care, financial services, government, telecom, manufacturing, insurance, entertainment, travel, and more.

For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multi-cultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.