Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2022
Pediatric Emergency Department Discharge Instructions for Spanish-Speaking Families: Are We Getting It Right?
Patients who speak Spanish are less likely to comply with discharge instructions, adhere to appointments, and take medications than English-speaking patients. However, adherence is improved when discharge instructions are provided in Spanish. This study was designed to assess the frequency of providing written discharge instructions in Spanish to patients who speak Spanish and request interpretation services, and to determine factors associated with receiving written discharge instructions in the preferred language in a pediatric emergency department (ED). ⋯ Discharged pediatric ED patients often do not receive written instructions in the preferred language. Patient and provider factors are associated with receiving written instructions in Spanish. Quality improvement efforts are needed to ensure appropriate language discharge education.