Adapted from http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/20070305.html

In a March 5, 2007 press release, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the new program, Effective Communication in Hospitals. This initiative will assist hospitals in meeting the communication needs of individuals who do not speak English as their primary language (i.e. are limited English proficient) or who are deaf or hard of hearing. Through the program, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will assist state hospital associations and their members in:

• Developing a process for assessing the communication needs of patients and their families;
• Identifying tools and strategies for developing training, best practices, educational materials, technical assistance activities and other resources;
• Responding appropriately and efficiently to the communication needs of individuals who are limited English proficient or deaf or hard of hearing;
• Sharing the results of efforts to assist other hospitals and state associations facing similar communication issues; and Identifying potential resources and creative approaches to cover costs.

Additionally, OCR has developed a new Web page that is available to hospitals nationally and provides links to important civil rights resources related to hospitals and effective communication: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hospitalcommunication.html

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