Trauma patients with limited English proficiency: Outcomes from two level one trauma centers

Background: Outcomes for surgical patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) may be worse compared to patients with English proficiency. We sought to evaluate the association of LEP with outcomes for trauma patients. Methods: Admitted adult patients on trauma service at two Level One trauma centers from 2015 to 2019 were identified. Results: 12,562 patients were included in total; 7.3% had LEP. On multivariable analyses, patients with LEP had lower odds of discharge to post-acute care versus home compared to patients with English proficiency (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.58-0.83; p < 0.001) but had similar length of stay (Beta coefficient 1.16; 95% CI 0.00-2.32; p = 0.05), and 30-day readmission (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.87-1.35; p = 0.46). Conclusions: Trauma patients with LEP had comparable short-term outcomes to English proficient patients but were less likely to be discharged to post-acute care facilities. The role of structural barriers, family preferences, and other factors merit future investigation.

Automated summary

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) have worse outcomes after surgery compared to those with English proficiency. This study evaluated the association of LEP with outcomes for trauma patients and found that trauma patients with LEP had similar length of stay and 30-day readmission rate, but were less likely to be discharged to post-acute care facilities.