ADMINISTRATORS
Communication is Key

LAN: when you need it, where you want it, always within reach
Clear communication is critical for providing care. Without establishing common ground, an already complicated healthcare encounter becomes exponentially more difficult. Patients become confused, scared and uncooperative. Providers look to allay their anxiety about a proper diagnosis. Without clear communication, expensive—and often unnecessary—diagnostic tests are ordered. Administrators are left to mitigate the potential for poor outcomes and increased costs.
Language Access Network offers an innovative solution that uses qualified medical interpreters who are always prepared to meet your demand. Providing the mechanism for natural and easy communication allows stakeholders—patients, providers, administrators and support staff—to achieve their goals without delay or additional cost.

Why Does My Hospital Need Interpretation Services?
While a benefit to care, provision of interpreting services is federally mandated for Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients. Use of qualified interpreters is also tracked by The Joint Commission and has a significant impact on accreditation.

Bilingual staff are an asset to many organizations: however, untrained ad-hoc interpretations leave the patient disempowered and the medical provider with limited information. Employees performing multiple duties may not be available when needed most. Some bilingual staff may lack medical terminology or cultural competency when assisting providers and patients. Others may make their own assessment and tailor the information towards a different health problem.
Writing or picture cards limit communication and can also have severe consequences for misunderstanding. Gestures are not universal and can even offend some patients. Concepts such as pain scales are cultural. For Deaf patients, lip- or speech-reading is highly inaccurate—only 35% of English can be seen on the lips.

Without clear communication, expensive—and often unnecessary—diagnostic tests are ordered.










Use of qualified interpreters is also tracked by The Joint Commission and has a significant impact on accreditation.