PHILADELPHIA, PA — GLOBO has announced its integration with Toolbox, aligning with Epic’s recommended practices for Interpretation Services integrations. This collaboration allows clinicians on-demand access to GLOBO’s platform and network of live translators for over 430 languages.
GLOBO CEO Dipak Patel highlighted the significance of this integration for the estimated 68 million people in the U.S. who do not speak English as their first language. “Integrating with Epic holds the potential to greatly expand linguistic support for limited English proficiency patients nationwide,” Patel said. He noted that patients facing language barriers often experience poorer health outcomes than those fluent in English.
Enhancing Patient Care
The benefits of providing adequate translation and interpreting services to non-English-speaking patients are numerous. Effective communication fosters greater trust between patients, families, and caregivers. It enhances health literacy, leading to better outcomes and increased participation in care, such as medication adherence and lifestyle changes. Moreover, it improves empathy, sensitivity, and cultural awareness among healthcare providers, while reducing errors and promoting ongoing error reduction.
Expanded Capabilities
GLOBO is developing additional integrations for Epic to support medical records, interpretation history, and discharge instructions, including care plans and medication instructions. Jonathan De Jong, GLOBO’s senior vice president of Engineering, explained that the platform facilitates immediate interpreter sessions directly from a patient’s medical record. Clinicians will have links to recordings and transcripts, allowing easy access and comparison of information documented during previous visits.
Immediate Impact
“When a clinician sees an LEP patient, they’ll be able to select the appropriate language in real-time and request a telehealth interpreter session on demand, preventing inefficient and often stressful wait times,” De Jong stated. These features include access to past translated records and the most recent care instructions in the patient’s preferred language.
Why It Matters
This integration addresses a critical need in healthcare. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings, non-compliance with medical instructions, and ultimately poorer health outcomes. By providing immediate and effective translation services, GLOBO aims to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care, regardless of language proficiency.
Future Implications
The success of this integration could lead to broader adoption of similar technologies across the healthcare industry. Enhanced communication with non-English-speaking patients could become a standard practice, significantly improving patient care and satisfaction. This move by GLOBO signals a shift towards more inclusive and accessible healthcare services, potentially setting a new benchmark for the industry.
In summary, GLOBO’s integration with Epic represents a crucial step in bridging language gaps in healthcare. This initiative promises to enhance patient care, reduce errors, and foster better health outcomes for millions of Americans.
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