Spanish-Speaking Limited English Proficiency Patients and Call Light Use.

INTRODUCTION

Despite a continuous increase of the limited English proficiency (LEP) population in the United States, disparities in the quality of care received in health care systems persist.

METHOD

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of hospitalized LEP patients on their call light use, as well as their perceptions of a prototype of a new multilingual call light system, Eloquence™. Individual interviews were conducted with 10 Spanish-speaking patient participants.

RESULTS

Using a constant comparative method, the following themes emerged: (1) reasons for call light use, (2) challenges with communication, (3) patients' adaptation to language barriers, (4) perceived staff responses to call light, and (5) responses to the Eloquence™ demonstration.

CONCLUSION

Data from this study shed light on the patient care experience of LEP patients and can help guide clinicians and administrators in providing culturally and linguistically competent care.