The Need for an Interpreter Increases Length of Stay and Influences Postoperative Disposition Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.
J Arthroplasty
; 35(9): 2405-2409, 2020 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32446624
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Many US patients who undergo total joint arthroplasty have low English proficiency, yet no study has investigated how the need for a translator impacts postoperative outcomes for these patients. We hypothesized that need for an interpreter after total joint arthroplasty would impact discharge disposition and length of stay.METHODS:
We performed a retrospective chart review of patients at a single large urban academic institution undergoing single primary total joint replacement from July 2016 to November 2019. Patients were classified as primarily English speaking (E), non-English primary language and did not require an interpreter (NE-N), or non-English primary language and did require an interpreter (NE-I). Data on patient characteristics, length of stay, and discharge disposition were collected.RESULTS:
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients in the NE-I group had significantly longer length of stay than both the NE-N group (2.85 vs 2.28 days, P = .015) and the E group (2.85 s vs 1.87 days, P < .0001). THA patients who required a translator were also significantly less likely to be discharged to home than those who were primarily English speaking (71.4% vs 88.8%, P < .0001). Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients in the NE-I group had significantly longer length of stay than the E group (2.66 vs 2.50 days, P = .009). The TKA patients in the NE-I group were significantly less likely to be discharged home than in the E group (74.5% vs 82.4%, P < .0001).CONCLUSION:
Although interpreter services are provided by the hospital for NE-I patients, the communication barrier that exists affects both length of stay and discharge disposition for both THA and TKA.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Artroplastia de Quadril
/
Artroplastia do Joelho
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article