Preventing Medication Errors among Limited English Proficient Patients: Evaluating the Impact of Language Access Laws in New York Pharmacies
Abstract
Purpose: This research evaluates compliance with and impact of New York City (NYC) and New York State (NYS) laws requiring chain pharmacies to provide language services to limited English proficient (LEP) patients. Inadequate... [ view full abstract ]
Purpose: This research evaluates compliance with and impact of New York City (NYC) and New York State (NYS) laws requiring chain pharmacies to provide language services to limited English proficient (LEP) patients. Inadequate access to translated medication instructions puts LEP patients at risk of medication errors. Many urban centers in the United States have high concentrations of LEP residents, yet NYC is unique in its passage of pharmacy focused language laws.
Methods: We assessed provision of language services in chain pharmacies through surveys of pharmacists (n=154) and LEP patients (n=72); and observations of pharmacy signage (n=40). Pharmacist survey results were compared to findings from a similar survey conducted in 2006 (n=71).
Findings: Findings from 2015, as compared to 2006, suggest improvement in language services: significantly more pharmacies have the capacity to provide translated labels (100% vs. 77%, p<.001) and telephone interpretation (91% vs. 23%, p<.001). Of pharmacies serving LEP patients daily, 41% reported translating labels daily, compared to 14% in 2006 (p<.001). Eighty-three percent of pharmacies observed had multilingual signs; 26% of LEP patients surveyed received translated medication labels and 20% were offered language services by pharmacy staff. Patients who filled prescriptions in a neighborhood with a higher proportion of LEP (OR=1.04 per one additional percentage, p=0.044) and who requested translation (OR=3.36, p=0.043) were more likely to receive a translated label. Although not statistically significant, a higher proportion of LEP patients that received translated labels adhered to their medication instructions compared to those with English labels (89% vs. 71%, p=0.193).
Conclusions: Our data suggest legislation can effectively promote access to language services in pharmacies. However, utilization rates remain suboptimal. Pharmacies should be more proactive in offering language services to LEP patients. Further education of patients, pharmacists and other providers may be needed to ensure available language services are fully utilized.
Authors
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Maya Scherer
(The New York Academy of Medicine)
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Tongtan Chantarat
(The New York Academy of Medicine)
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Theo Oshiro
(Make the Road New York)
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Rebecca Telzak
(Make the Road New York)
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Linda Weiss
(The New York Academy of Medicine)
Topic Area
VI. Research and action 6.1 Collaboration; interaction of researchers; stakeholders 6.2 S
Session
PS-1 » POSTER SESSION 1 (12:10 - Friday, 1st April, TBA)
Paper
ICUH_Abstract_1-14-16_final.docx
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