Emergency departments are the front door of the American healthcare system — and they are among the settings where language barriers can be most dangerous. When a patient arrives in the ER unable to communicate their symptoms, allergies, or medical history, the risk of misdiagnosis, medication errors, and delayed treatment escalates dramatically. In emergency medicine, where minutes can mean the difference between life and death, language access is not just a compliance issue — it is a patient safety imperative.
Studies have consistently documented the risks of inadequate language access in emergency settings. LEP patients who do not receive professional interpretation are more likely to undergo unnecessary diagnostic testing, receive incorrect diagnoses, experience adverse drug events, and have longer emergency department stays. A study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health found that LEP patients were 1.5 times more likely to experience a serious medical event during an ED visit when professional interpreters were not used.
The speed of OPI makes it the most practical interpretation modality for emergency departments. With connection times under 60 seconds, OPI can be initiated immediately when an LEP patient presents at triage. Dual-handset phones and speakerphone configurations allow providers to communicate with patients while performing assessments and procedures. For facilities with VRI capability, video interpretation may be preferred for situations where visual communication enhances clinical assessment.
Effective emergency department language access programs share several characteristics. First, they make interpretation accessible at every point in the patient journey — from triage to treatment to discharge. Second, they train all ED staff on how to access and use interpretation services. Third, they use professional interpreters (not bilingual family members or untrained staff) for all clinical communications. Fourth, they track utilization data to identify gaps and improve performance.
Discharge communication is a particularly critical moment. If an LEP patient does not understand their discharge instructions — medications, follow-up appointments, warning signs to watch for — they are significantly more likely to return to the emergency department. Providing interpretation during discharge planning and offering translated written instructions in the patient's preferred language can dramatically reduce avoidable readmissions.
BeKonek Solutions provides 24/7 over-the-phone and video remote interpretation specifically designed for emergency and acute care settings. Our interpreters are trained in emergency medical terminology and can be connected in under 60 seconds. We support more than 300 languages, ensuring that even the rarest language needs can be met when it matters most.
When a patient arrives in your emergency department speaking a language your staff does not understand, the clock is ticking. Professional interpretation ensures that language never stands between a patient and the care they need.