Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality: The Case for Language Access

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a description of the need for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) for Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients, an identification of how the lack of CLAS for LEP patients can compromise patient safety and healthcare quality, and discuss barriers to the provision of CLAS.

Keywords

• Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
• Limited English Proficient (LEP)
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality
• Language Access