New research out of Cornell University's College of Human Ecology found that low-income children of immigrants have much poorer health than low-income children of citizens, as reported in a special section of the journal Child Development.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

To compare interpreter errors and their potential consequences in encounters with professional versus ad hoc versus no interpreters.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional error analysis of audiotaped emergency department (ED) visits during 30 months in the 2 largest pediatric EDs in Massachusetts. Participants were Spanish-speaking limited-English-proficient patients, caregivers, and their interpreters. Outcome measures included interpreter error numbers, types, and potential consequences.

RESULTS:

The 57 encounters included 20 with professional interpreters, 27 with ad hoc interpreters, and 10 with no interpreters; 1,884 interpreter errors were noted, and 18% had potential clinical consequences. The proportion of errors of potential consequence was significantly lower for professional (12%) versus ad hoc (22%) versus no interpreters (20%). Among professional interpreters, previous hours of interpreter training, but not years of experience, were significantly associated with error numbers, types, and potential consequences. The median errors by professional interpreters with greater than or equal to 100 hours of training was significantly lower, at 12, versus 33 for those with fewer than 100 hours of training. Those with greater than or equal to 100 hours of training committed significantly lower proportions of errors of potential consequence overall (2% versus 12%) and in every error category.

CONCLUSION:

Professional interpreters result in a significantly lower likelihood of errors of potential consequence than ad hoc and no interpreters. Among professional interpreters, hours of previous training, but not years of experience, are associated with error numbers, types, and consequences. These findings suggest that requiring at least 100 hours of training for interpreters might have a major impact on reducing interpreter errors and their consequences in health care while improving quality and patient safety.

Copyright © 2012. Published by Mosby, Inc.

 OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL BOARDThe mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.The CMI certification program is governed by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (National Board), an independent division of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA). The purposes of the National Board are to:·         Develop, organize, oversee and promote a national medical interpreter certification program in all languages.·         Promote patients and providers working with credentialed medical interpreters who have met minimal national standards to provide accurate and safe interpretation.·         Ensure credibility of national certification by striving to comply with national accreditation standards including transparency, inclusion, and access. The Board of Directors of the National Board consists of 12 voting members that include medical interpreters, a health care provider, industry representatives, and a public member. Initial Board members were selected by a public process and independent selection committee. Subsequently, Board members are recruited through a Nominating Committee process and are elected by the members of the National Board. To see the National Board click here. 

The information that follows is an overview of this type of cancer. It is based on the more detailed information in American Cancer Society's document, Cervical Cancer. This document and other information can be obtained by calling 1-800-227-2345 or visiting our Web site at www.cancer.org.

Summary of the June 2012 article from the New York Times on American attitudes toward immigration.

MCN Spanish educational comic book that addresses pesticide exposure in women of reproductive age. LO QUE BIEN EMPIEZA...BIEN ACABA: Consejos para las mujeres para prevenir daños a la salud y a sus bebés causados por pesticidas.

© 2006 by the American Cancer Society, Inc. Also available at www.cancer.org/easyreading.

These county level guides provide a wealth of resources and information for low-income and uninsured cancer patients in Texas. The guides are all written in Spanish. Currently we have guides for the following Texas counties: Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Maverick, Travis, Webb and Zavala.

Spanish patient education resources on oral cancer and smoking cessation.

One-page patient education tool on colonoscopy from the American Cancer Society.

One-page patient education handout in English and Spanish with tips for how to quit smoking from the American Cancer Society.