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In-Person Interpreter Use and Hospital Length of Stay among Infants with Low Birth Weight

Author

Listed:
  • Monica Eneriz-Wiemer

    (Department of Pediatrics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
    Division of General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Lee M. Sanders

    (Division of General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
    Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Mary McIntyre

    (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Fernando S. Mendoza

    (Division of General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • D. Phuong Do

    (Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA)

  • C. Jason Wang

    (Division of General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
    Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

Abstract

To ensure timely appropriate care for low-birth-weight (LBW) infants, healthcare providers must communicate effectively with parents, even when language barriers exist. We sought to evaluate whether non-English primary language (NEPL) and professional in-person interpreter use were associated with differential hospital length of stay for LBW infants, who may incur high healthcare costs. We analyzed data for 2047 infants born between 1 January 2008 and 30 April 2013 with weight <2500 g at one hospital with high NEPL prevalence. We evaluated relationships of NEPL and in-person interpreter use on length of stay, adjusting for medical severity. Overall, 396 (19%) had NEPL parents. Fifty-three percent of NEPL parents had documented interpreter use. Length of stay ranged from 1 to 195 days (median 11). Infants of NEPL parents with no interpreter use had a 49% shorter length of stay (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43–0.61) compared to English-speakers. Infants of parents with NEPL and low interpreter use (<25% of hospital days) had a 26% longer length of stay (adjusted IRR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.51). NEPL and high interpreter use (>25% of hospital days) showed a trend for an even longer length of stay. Unmeasured clinical and social/cultural factors may contribute to differences in length of stay.

Suggested Citation

  • Monica Eneriz-Wiemer & Lee M. Sanders & Mary McIntyre & Fernando S. Mendoza & D. Phuong Do & C. Jason Wang, 2018. "In-Person Interpreter Use and Hospital Length of Stay among Infants with Low Birth Weight," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1570-:d:159797
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