Enhancing the Anesthesia Providers’ Awareness of Resources, Policies, & Procedures Surrounding Patients with Language Communication Barriers

Enhancing the Anesthesia Providers’ Awareness of Resources, Policies, & Procedures Surrounding Patients with Language Communication Barriers

Taylor Martin, Joani Frenceschi, and Janzen Krysl

UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, Graduate Nursing Program Student (MSN, DNP, PhD)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate if a web-based educational program can increase the anesthesia providers’ awareness of resources, policies, and procedures available for LEP patients.

Background: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) are facing significant communication challenges in peri-operative settings, spanning from understanding anesthesia-related information to obtaining informed consent. These language-based obstacles lead to decreased quality of care, lower patient satisfaction, and a heightened risk of adverse healthcare outcomes.

Methods: This quantitative, quasi-experimental project uses a pretest-posttest design sampling from a level II healthcare facility in Charlotte, NC.

Results: Twenty-six individuals participated in this study. There was significant pretest-posttest difference on question 2 (language service resources) (χ 2 (1) = 7.24, p = .007); question 4 (language service procedure) (χ 2 (1) = 16.50, p < .001); question 5 (policy location) (χ 2 (1) = 10.00, p = .002); and question 7 (resource location) (χ 2 (1) = 28.40, p < .001). The average number of correct answers significantly increased from 3.77 ± 1.34 to 6.15 ± 0.46 (t = 8.58, p < .001).

Conclusion: The result of this data serves as evidence that a short, simple education module can profoundly impact the anesthesia provider’s understanding of resources and policies surrounding language communication barriers. Future projects should emphasize the importance of bilingual

Presentation

Biography

Taylor Martin, BSN, ADN, RN

Taylor Martin, BSN, ADN, RN received his Bachelor of Science in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University and is expected to receive his DNP in May of 2024.

Joani Franceschi, BSN, SRNA

Joani Franceschi, BSN, SRNA received her BSN from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is projected to receive her DNP in May of 2024.

Janzen Krysl, BSN, RN

Janzen Krysl, BSN, RN received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. She is currently pursuing her DNP and is projected to graduate in Mall of 2024.

Faculty Committee Advisor(s)

Lufei Young, PhD, ACNP-BC

Lorraine N. Schoen, DNAP, CRNA

Chris Saraceno, DNP, CRNA

Concepcion De Godev, PhD