SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Patient Education Prioritization and Translation for Pediatric and Adult Patients With a Non-English Language Preference

Pdf Summary

This project focused on improving patient education for non-English language preference (NELP) patients by creating a prioritization system for translating materials within a health system.<br /><br />The team used Epic SlicerDicer and PowerBI to identify the most common non-English languages and to examine health outcome disparities between English-speaking and NELP patients. They noted that miscommunication in this population is linked to medication errors, poor follow-up, increased emergency department use, and hospital readmissions. Despite the need, the institution lacked a streamlined process for requesting and distributing translated patient education.<br /><br />The objective was to develop a structured system to prioritize which educational materials should be translated first. The prioritization process was intended to help reduce health equity gaps and improve care for families with limited English proficiency.<br /><br />The project identified key educational areas for translation, including newborn discharge education, heart failure, respiratory illness education, childhood immunizations, and breast and colon cancer screening. A matrix was developed to guide prioritization based on diagnostic disparities.<br /><br />The authors also highlighted the broader context: Minnesota has a large immigrant and refugee population, and M Health Fairview serves the largest volume of non-English-speaking patients in the state, offering care in 150 languages.<br /><br />Future goals include translating materials into the most common languages, creating audio and visual education tools for patients with low literacy, piloting these interventions, and evaluating their effectiveness using feedback from patients, families, and cultural brokers.

Asset Subtitle

Aarabhi S. Rajagopal

Meta Tag

Author List Aarabhi S. Rajagopal, Angelica Willis, Maria Medina, Sarah A. Garcia

Category Innovations

Concept Patient Education Translation

Concept Non-English Language Preference

Concept Health Equity

Concept Patient Education Material

Concept Communication Disparity

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Seattle Children's Hospital

Presenting Author Aarabhi S. Rajagopal

Track Communication

Keywords

patient education

non-English language preference

translation prioritization

health equity

Epic SlicerDicer

PowerBI

limited English proficiency

health disparities

translated materials

patient communication

Patient Education Translation

Non-English Language Preference

Health Equity

Patient Education Material

Communication Disparity