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Office for Civil RightsHospitals and Effective Communication
General Background InformationGood medical care depends upon effective communication between patients and providers. Ineffective communication can lead to improper diagnosis and delayed or improper medical treatment. Effective communication with persons who have limited English proficiency - as well as persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing - often requires interpreters or other services. Many hospitals are actively taking steps to address these needs. However, hospitals face increasing challenges to meet the communication needs of an increasingly diverse population. At the same time, Federal agencies are addressing a significant number of complaints regarding the lack of effective communication in hospital settings. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of financial assistance from HHS. The Office for Civil Rights is also responsible for ensuring compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as it applies to health and human service activities of state and local governments. The Department of Justice is responsible for coordinating civil rights enforcement across the Federal government and for enforcing Title III of the ADA as it applies to public accommodations, including hospitals. The Department of Justice can also bring court actions to enforce any of these statutes or intervene in private actions. Under these laws, hospitals must communicate effectively with patients, family members, and visitors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and must take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs for persons who have limited English proficiency. Complementing these obligations are the new accreditation provisions promulgated by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, including the recently adopted requirement that hospitals collect information about the language and communications needs of patients. To assist hospitals in meeting these responsibilities and to help ensure access to quality health care, the following information and resources are available. Effective Communication in Hospitals Initiative Materials
Laws and Regulations
Educational Materials
Case Resolutions, Settlement Agreements, and Consent Decrees
Links to HHS Programs
Other Resources
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