摘要：Objectives . We assessed the impact of interpreter services on the cost and the utilization of health care services among patients with limited English proficiency. Methods . We measured the change in delivery and cost of care provided to patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization before and after interpreter services were implemented. Results . Compared with English-speaking patients, patients who used the interpreter services received significantly more recommended preventive services, made more office visits, and had more prescriptions written and filled. The estimated cost of providing interpreter services was $279 per person per year. Conclusions . Providing interpreter services is a financially viable method for enhancing delivery of health care to patients with limited English proficiency. More than 46 million people in the United States do not speak English as their primary language, and more than 21 million speak English less than “very well.” 1 Persons who have limited English proficiency are less likely to have a regular source of primary care 2, 3 and are less likely to receive preventive care. 2, 4, 5 They also are less satisfied with the care that they do receive, 6, 7 are more likely to report overall problems with care, 7 and may be at increased risk of experiencing medical errors. 8 Because most health care organizations provide either inadequate interpreter services or no services at all, 9– 14 patients who have limited English proficiency do not receive needed health care or quality health care. Often, persons enlisted to help patients communicate with health care providers are not trained interpreters; instead, they are fellow patients or are family members, friends, untrained nonclinical employees, or nonfluent health care professionals. 6– 8 Reliance on such ad hoc services has been shown to have negative clinical consequences. 15– 18 Many health care providers do not provide adequate interpreter services because of the financial burden such services impose. 19, 20 However, these providers fail to take into account both the consequences of not providing the services and the potential cost benefits of improving communication with their patients. The failure of health care providers to consider these issues is at least partially attributable to the paucity of data documenting the full costs and benefits of interpreter services. To acquire a better understanding of these costs and benefits, we assessed the impact of implementing a new interpreter service program on the cost and utilization of health care services among patients with limited English proficiency.
