Language Barrier Transition and Planning

1 Language Barrier Transition and Planning The proposed solution to the language barriers in nursing practice is the implementation of an interpreter program. This program focuses on the use of professionally trained individuals as interpreters during the care of patients with limited English proficiency. Professional interpreters are trained to gauge the health needs of patients from different backgrounds. These individuals also understand the culture and values of different ethnic communities. Importantly, they can apply technology to assist patients to understand medical instructions provided by the physician. The presence of a medical professional, who understands the language spoken by the patient helps to improve confidence among patients. Individual clients are able to associate with healthcare if the care provider can communicate using their local language.

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2 Implementation Plan Project Goals The principal objective of this program is to eradicate the challenges experienced by care providers while communicating with patients who do not understand the English language.

Further, the program will enhance the quality together with the outcome of care since patients will understand and comply with treatment instructions. Patients, who have been instructed in their local language are more likely to comply than those instructed in a language they do not understand. Another projected goal of the program is to increase the confidence and the trust of patients in the care providers. Subsequently, the number of patients with limited English proficiency seeking healthcare services will increase.

3 Measurement of Change A comparison of health data before and after the implementation of the program will be carried out as a strategy for measuring potential change. The health data collected for this analysis include the patients’ rate of compliance with physician’s instructions, the relapse of health conditions, the number of individuals from ethnic minorities and migrant populations seeking healthcare, and the satisfaction of patients and nurses. Another important factor that will be used to measure change is the quantity of time spent on individual patients.

The Outcomes to Attain Project Goals It is anticipated that the implementation of a professional interpreter program will achieve a series of outcomes related to the ultimate project goals. These outcomes include increased trust between care providers and patients, an increase in the rate of compliance with treatment instructions among patients, reduced relapse of diseases and improved satisfaction with care. The presence of interpreters is also expected to reduce the tension and anger that exist between care providers and patients who communicate in different languages.

Stakeholders The stakeholders in this project are nurses, hospital administrators, physicians, medical interpreters, and patients. Nurses and physicians are directly involved in patient care. Therefore, in case of a limited English proficiency patient, these professionals will seek the services of a medical interpreter. Nurses will evaluate the language proficiency of the patients to determine the best medical interpreter to utilize. The hospital administration will set aside resources necessary to successfully implement the program. The professional interpreter will deliver the physician’s instruction to the patient in a language the patient understands. Moreover, the interpreter will pass on the health needs of the patients to the physicians.

4 Actions Need to Achieve the Outcome A series of tasks will be conducted to accomplish targeted goals and outcomes. These tasks include notifying the hospital administration of the proposed solution. The administration will allocate the resources necessary to purchase furniture for use by professional interpreters.

Space will be created in all departments to ensure the necessary structural changes are implemented for a suitable environment for healthcare delivery. The other task is to notify the heads of departments of the proposed changes to set the base for flawless implementation.

Further, the care providers will be advised to change their tactics in handling patients with limited English proficiency. A schedule will be created to ensure that a professional interpreter is available at all times.

Supplies and Equipment The main resources required for a successful implementation of this program include finances to purchase furniture and healthcare materials and pay wages and facilitation fees for the professional interpreters.

Milestones The milestones that will be used to gauge the progress of the program include improved trust between patients and care providers and an increase in the level of satisfaction with healthcare services. A decrease in the time taken to serve individual patients will also be used as milestones in the project. It is expected that professional interpreters will alleviate the need to use more time to explain simple instructions to patients.

5 Project Timeframe Since the project does not involve complex processes, it will be implemented in one month. Professional interpreters will be hired during this period, structural changes will be made, and education on the interpreter program will be carried out.

Drawbacks One of the key potential drawbacks to the program is the resistance of nurses. Nurses, who are used to traditional interpreters such as patients and colleagues, may find it hard to embrace and utilize the new program. Since finances are required to purchase new furniture a lack of finances may negatively impact structural changes to accommodate professional interpreters. There is also a likelihood of care providers delegating some of the patient care duties to the professional interpreters Risk Management Plan Disclosure of patient data to third parties is one of the major risks associated with professional interpreter programs. Therefore, the interpreters need to be informed of the consequences of disclosing personal data to unauthorized persons. Nurses and other care providers also need to be warned of delegating duties to professional interpreters.

Budget The budget for this project is estimated at $20,000. Approximately, $5,000 will be used to purchase and install new furniture in all departments where the services of a professional interpreter are required. $15,000 will be used to pay facilitation fees for the interpreters and purchase of healthcare materials needed by these professionals.

6 EBP Model to Guide the Implementation Plan The implementation plan will be guided by the Iowa model for evidence-based practice change. This model comprises six phases, including assessment of the need for practice change, identification of potential outcomes and synthesis of evidence, designing change to current practice, implementing the proposed solution and finally integrating it into nursing practice (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015).

Evaluation Plan The evaluation plan focuses on all activities conducted in the project, including purchasing furniture, structural change, the time taken to accomplish the project and the targeted goals. The role of professional interpreters will be evaluated to determine if they can effectively alleviate the language barriers in nursing. The amount of time consumed to implement the project will also be evaluated. The finances resources used will also be assessed to ascertain the viability of the project.

7 References Edelman, C. L., Mandle, C. L., & Kudzma, E. C. (2017). Health promotion throughout life spane-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Hannawa, A., Wendt, A., & Day, L. (2017). New horizons in patient safety: safe communication: evidence-based core competencies with case-studies from nursing practice. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (Eds.). (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.