Disparities of Functional Outcomes for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Patients in Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract Language barriers occur when the patient and healthcare provider do not share the same native language which can result in a major negative impact on the quality and cost of healthcare provided. Language barriers are responsible for reducing the satisfaction of both medical providers and patients, as well as the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety. It is imperative that healthcare facilities appreciate and examine the literature on the topic of disparities and actively strategize how to ensure the best outcome for all patients under their care. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the effectiveness of a recent upgrade of mobile, live interpreting devices by comparing the changes of mobility outcomes, also known as mobility quality indicator scores, from admission to discharge, prior to the upgrade in the year 2022, to the changes in outcomes after their extended use from October 2023 to September 2024, for all non-English patients. This study sought to also provide evidence of existing disparities within the year of 2024, and if there had been improvement and/or regression in outcomes for non-English speaking patients that require further mitigation. MeSH Keywords : healthcare, disparities, language, outcomes