Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for July 2010


Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information



Is It The Medical Jargon or The Accent? 

Communication between patients and health care providers can be hampered by a number of things, and one often cited issue is a provider’s accent. Approximately 25 percent of all doctors practicing in the United States are foreign-born and foreign-educated, according to the US Census.

That number is expected to rise as a result of the country’s shortage of primary care physicians. While command of the English language is part of the testing for foreign medical graduates, accents can persist.

A representative of Language Line University, the globally recognized interpreter testing, training and certification division of Language Line Services, is available to discuss the role of accent reduction training in the improvement of patient care and satisfaction, and the use of language proficiency testing to ensure that all bilingual staff – from nurses and technicians to home health aides – are able to communicate clearly with patients. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Shawn Yanan at (305) 962-1768 or .  


Medicare Providers Not Meeting Standards for Language Access

According to a report just released by the Office of the Inspector General entitled "Guidance and Standards on Language Access Services: Medicare Providers", many Medicare providers are failing to offer services that meet all four of the Office of Minority Health's (OMH) Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS) standards on language access services.

While 98 percent of surveyed providers reported offering some language access services, only 33 percent offered services consistent with all four CLAS standards on language access, which are designed to help providers respond to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse patient populations. A representative of Language Line Services is available to discuss the spectrum of language access tools available to health care providers, as well as efforts to broaden reimbursement for language access services by public payers. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Shawn Yanan at (305) 962-1768 or at .


Small Illinois Town Makes English Official Language

The board of trustees in Homer Township, Illinois recently passed a resolution requiring that all government activity be conducted in English only, making them one more town in a string of cities and towns that are  putting both English and limited-English speaking citizens at risk in the name of “immigration reform”.

With more than 55 million people in the U.S. speaking a language other than English at home (according to census data), and more than 176 different language spoken across the country, what is the result when we people are required to speak English with government agencies, but cannot? 

Here’s just a glimpse: accident and crime victims who can’t speak with 911 operators and first responders, leading to criminals that roam free. Patients who can’t speak with health care providers, leading to misdiagnosis or a lack of treatment altogether – driving up health care expenses for everyone. 

If this is a subject that you’d like to pursue executives with leading interpretation and translation company Language Line Services can discuss how they support government agencies with cost effective language solutions, as well as the company’s overall belief that the move to make English the official language of any particular state, county or city has nothing to do with promoting English and everything to do with punishing those who do not speak it.  Contact Adriana Infante at 305.461-5794 or to arrange interviews.




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