Non-English Primary Language Is Associated With Lower Odds of Non-home Discharge After Trauma: A Retrospective Cohort Study at a Level I Trauma Center

Language barriers may influence trauma care and outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of primary language on clinical care factors and outcomes in adult trauma patients via retrospective review from 2019 to 2023. Patients were stratified as English primary language (EPL) or non-English primary language (NEPL). Among 9,528 patients, 9% were NEPL. Non-English primary language patients were younger, more often male, self-pay, and injured at work, with fewer comorbidities. After multivariable adjustment, NEPL patients had significantly lower odds of non-home discharge (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.98, P = 0.034). Primary language was not independently associated with hospital LOS (IRR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.09, P = 0.715). Non-English primary language patients were more likely to be discharged home after adjustment, which may reflect limited access to post-acute care, rather than better recovery. High uninsured rates among NEPL patients may drive reduced access, highlighting a gap in care transitions for NEPL trauma population.