title: Language differences as a barrier to quality and safety in health care: the Joint Commission perspective.
abstract: Effective communication with patients is critical to the safety and quality of care. Barriers to this communication include differences in language, cultural differences, and low health literacy. Evidence-based practices that reduce these barriers must be integrated into, rather than just added to, health care work processes.
authors.affiliation: The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA. pschyve@jointcommission.org
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schyve
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D007802:Language; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States