What does this indicator measure?
This indicator measures the ability of area hospitals and health care centers to deal with a diverse population whose primary language is not English.
Why is this indicator important?
The city of Dallas is currently a minority majority city. Hispanics account for 39% of the city's total population, and for most, Spanish is their native language. African Americans account for 27% of the city's total population (U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2003). Dallas County is also a very diverse county. Hispanics account for 30% of the county's population, and African Americans account for 20% of the county's population. These figures highlight our growing and diverse population. To ensure that we are providing culturally competent medical care, area hospitals and health care centers must be able to communicate with patients who have limited English-speaking skills.
How are we doing?
Key findings for Greater Dallas:Based on a short telephone interview with local health care facilities, we found the following with respect to methods of communicating with a non-English or limited English-speaking population:
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Baylor Medical Center at Garland has accredited volunteers who can handle 18 different languages.
- Baylor Medical Center at Irving uses volunteers who can handle 24 different languages.
- Children's Medical Center of Dallas has full-time and part-time translators.
- Methodist Medical Center has full-time translators.
- Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has full-time and part-time translators.
- Many area hospitals also use the AT&T language line.
- Area medical facilities that did not have a translation service expressed a strong need for developing one.