Addressing Language Barriers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case-Based Reflection and Brief Appraisal of the Literature

Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi; Carolina Gonzalez Bravo; Daniel J Kohn; Patrick McGonagill; Kristina Guyton

doi:10.7759/cureus.55646

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Addressing Language Barriers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case-Based Reflection and Brief Appraisal of the Literature

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Addressing Language Barriers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case-Based Reflection and Brief Appraisal of the Literature

Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi, Carolina Gonzalez Bravo, Daniel J Kohn, Patrick McGonagill and Kristina Guyton

Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), Vol.16(3), e55646

03/2024

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55646

PMCID: PMC10995741

PMID: 38586717

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https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55646View

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Abstract

At present, a substantial number of individuals in the US face limited English proficiency (LEP), posing difficulties for healthcare providers. Language barriers between healthcare providers and patients can lead to poor quality of care, especially in patients with hyperacute conditions such as stroke, myocardial infarction, acute trauma, and more. In the intensive care unit (ICU), diagnosis and rapid treatment decision-making rely on taking an accurate patient history and physical exam. While in-person interpreters are the gold standard for patients with LEP, the fast-paced nature of the ICU may require alternate modes of using interpreting services to fit ICU workflows. We present a case-based reflection of a patient with LEP who presented to our ICU after a motor vehicle accident. We present this case from the perspective of a third-year medical student caring for a patient while rotating in an ICU service. We illustrate how language interpretation impacted the patient's care. We conclude by appraising the ICU literature and providing solutions to addressing language barriers for ICU patients with LEP to deliver patient-centered, high-quality care.

Patient Safety

cultural competency

language interpretation services

intensive care unit

communication barriers

Details

Title: Subtitle: Addressing Language Barriers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case-Based Reflection and Brief Appraisal of the Literature
Creators: Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi - University of Iowa
Carolina Gonzalez Bravo - University of Iowa
Daniel J Kohn - University of Iowa
Patrick McGonagill - University of Iowa
Kristina Guyton - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), Vol.16(3), e55646
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55646
PMID: 38586717
PMCID: PMC10995741
NLM abbreviation: Cureus
ISSN: 2168-8184
eISSN: 2168-8184
Language: English
Date published: 03/2024
Academic Unit: Surgery; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984584905902771

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