Instructions
Recent audit results revealed several data errors associated with hospital encounters of patients who speak English as a second language. Create a scenario that illustrates what could happen if patient identity management and language access policies are not followed. Explain errors that could occur due the MPI infrastructure, misconduct of medical staff, lack of a translator being present, and any other possible event(s). Your scenario should cover a full hospital encounter starting from patient registration to patient discharge. For each error, (1) evaluate the healthcare standards and/or laws that specifically address patient information, privacy, and language access policies, and (2) recommend a solution.
Requirements
· Write a 3-page scenario that covers patient identity management, privacy, and language access policies
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In the medical field, it is important to ensure patient identity management and language access policies are followed to prevent data errors. Failure to comply with these policies can result in severe negative outcomes for the patient, leading to reduced care quality. In this scenario, I will illustrate the possible errors that could occur if patient identity management and language access policies are not followed and provide recommendations on how to address them.
Scenario:
Mrs. Garcia is a 65-year-old Hispanic woman who speaks Spanish as her primary language. She was admitted to the hospital due to chest pain. The hospital staff failed to provide her with a translator during registration, which resulted in them assigning her the wrong patient identification number. As a result, the medical staff misdiagnosed her and treated her with the wrong medication. The hospital’s inadequate Multi-Patient Index (MPI) infrastructure prevented the team from identifying and rectifying the error. The staff continued to treat her for a week while her health deteriorated. When she complained about nausea and lack of improvement, the medical staff discovered the error and immediately corrected it. However, these medical errors caused her to stay an extra week in the hospital, leading to significant healthcare costs.
Errors:
1) MPI Infrastructure Error:
The hospital’s MPI infrastructure system failed to identify the patient’s correct identification number, resulting in the medical staff providing the wrong treatment plan. The healthcare standards that address this issue are the HIPAA regulations and the Joint Commission Requirements. To rectify this error, the hospital needs to improve its MPI infrastructure by investing in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to prevent data errors and ensure accurate patient identification.
2) Misconduct of Medical Staff:
The medical staff provided the wrong medication to the patient, leading to increased illness. The healthcare standards that address this issue include the Joint Commission Patient Safety Systems and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. To prevent this, the hospital needs to educate its medical staff on proper patient care techniques and ensure strict adherence to medication protocols.
3) Lack of translator:
The failure to provide a translator led to poor communication between the patient and medical staff, resulting in inadequate care. Healthcare standards that address this issue include the Affordable Care Act, Title VI, and Notice of Language Assistance. The hospital can solve this error by providing translators, implementing an interpreter program, and enhancing the proficiency of medical staff in handling multilingual patients.
Recommendations:
To prevent such errors, the hospital needs to implement the following recommendations:
– Invest in Electronic Health Records to enhance the MPI infrastructure system’s accuracy and efficiency.
– Provide regular training and education to medical staff on medication protocols and proper patient care techniques.
– Hire professional translators/interpreters or implement an interpreter program to ensure proper communication between medical staff and patients.
– Enhance the communication skills of medical staff in handling multilingual patients.
Conclusion:
Adhering to patient identity management and language access policies is crucial to prevent data errors in the medical field. Failing to comply with these policies leads to severe negative outcomes for the patient, increased healthcare costs, and damage to a hospital’s reputation. It is essential to provide the correct patient identification and medication to patients while offering excellent patient care services to ensure optimal healthcare standards.
