#230 Bridging Communication Gaps: Ensuring Safe Anesthesia Care for Patients with Limited English Proficiency

What impact do communication failures have on anesthesia patient safety, particularly for those with limited English proficiency? Join us as we welcome anesthesiology resident, Dr. Yasuko Mano, who sheds light on this critical issue. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Mano reveals how language barriers can lead to less patient-centered care and increased risks during high-pressure situations like medication reconciliation and obtaining informed consent. Through her insights, we explore the often-overlooked moments in healthcare settings where communication breakdowns can lead to adverse outcomes, especially in perioperative care.Despite the availability of interpreter services in many hospitals, our discussion uncovers their underutilization at crucial times, such as during the initial check-in or induction of anesthesia. On the show, we outline a quality improvement initiative aiming to bridge these communication gaps. By proposing structural changes in preoperative and interoperative areas, the initiative seeks to enhance interactions between patients and the anesthesia care team with personalized translation tools. Together, we envision a future where high-quality and safe anesthesia care is accessible to all patients, regardless of language proficiency. Listen in to learn about practical solutions and the path toward more inclusive healthcare practices.For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/230-bridging-communication-gaps-ensuring-safe-anesthesia-care-for-patients-with-limited-english-proficiency/© 2024, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation