title: Language Services In Hospitals Vary By Ownership And Location.
abstract: Twenty-four million people in the United States have limited English proficiency. They experience barriers to health care because of their inability to communicate effectively with providers. Hospitals are required to provide language services that reflect the needs of people in their communities, but these services are not available systematically.
authors: Melody K. Schiaffino (mschiaffino@mail.sdsu.edu) is an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University, in California.
authors: Melody K
authors: MK
authors: Schiaffino
authors: Atsushi Nara is an assistant professor of geography at San Diego State University.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Nara
authors: Liang Mao is an assistant professor of geography at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Mao
mesh_terms: D000573:American Hospital Association; D003144:Communication Barriers; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019303:Multilingualism; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010067:Ownership / Q000191:economics*; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014177:Translations; D014481:United States
keywords: Hospitals; Limited English Proficiency; Organization and Delivery of Care; Quality Of Care; Special Populations