JCAHO report addresses language, cultural issues

JCAHO report addresses language, cultural issues

Hospitals should provide ongoing training to staff on how and when to access language services, The Joint Commission recommends in a recent report.

Other strategies suggested include establishment of a centralized program to coordinate services relating to language and culture and implementation of a uniform framework for systematic collection of data on race, ethnicity, and language.

The recommendations are based on a study of how 60 hospitals are providing health care to culturally and linguistically diverse patient populations.

The most frequently cited challenges related to language and staffing. Hospitals often reported finding it difficult to find staff with cultural or linguistic competency, and some indicated there are challenges created by having a diverse staff.

All but six hospitals reported financial stresses in relation to serving diverse populations.