Every medical practice relies on protocols, forms, and written instructions to guide patients through care. These materials help patients renew prescriptions, prepare for procedures, understand treatment options, and follow care plans after a visit. When providers offer this information only in English, patients who prefer another language face avoidable barriers to care.
Healthcare providers already recognize the need for interpretation during appointments. However, spoken communication alone does not ensure patient understanding. Written materials shape how patients prepare for care, follow instructions, and make informed decisions. When providers translate the right documents, they help patients navigate care with greater clarity and confidence while supporting better outcomes and patient experience scores.
Here are six simple ways to improve your patient experience score as well as your patient’s health outcomes through document translation.
1. Signage
Signage sets the tone for a patient’s experience from the moment they enter a facility. When providers translate essential signage into the most commonly spoken languages in their service area, patients can locate services, understand their rights, and recognize that language assistance is available at no cost.
Clear, translated signage also helps organizations meet accreditation expectations, including those outlined by the Joint Commission, by making language access visible and consistent throughout the facility.
2. Patient Intake Forms and Discharge Instructions
Intake forms and discharge paperwork collect and deliver critical information, including medical history, medications, follow-up care, and warning signs. When providers translate these documents, patients can share accurate information at the start of care and follow instructions safely once they return home.
Clear written communication reduces misunderstandings, supports adherence to care plans, and helps prevent avoidable complications or readmissions.
3. Informed Consent and Complaint Forms
Informed consent documents explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives associated with procedures or treatments. Translating these materials allows patients to understand their options and make decisions with confidence.
Providers should also translate complaint and grievance forms. Doing so gives patients clear, equitable access to feedback and resolution processes and reinforces transparency and trust in the care relationship.
4. Clinical Trial Documentation
Clinical trial documents often include detailed explanations of procedures, risks, and expectations. When providers translate these materials, patients and families can better evaluate research opportunities and decide whether participation aligns with their needs and values.
Language access in clinical research also promotes broader inclusion and helps studies reflect the communities they serve.
5. Prescription Labels
Prescription labels directly affect patient safety. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows that untranslated labels significantly increase the risk of misinterpretation. Patients may take incorrect doses, misuse medications, or stop treatment prematurely.
By translating prescription information, pharmacies and providers help patients follow medication instructions accurately and reduce the risk of adverse events and liability.
6. Marketing and Website
Marketing materials, appointment reminders, and website content help patients understand available services and how to access care. When providers translate these materials, patients can determine whether a practice meets their needs before scheduling an appointment.
Clear, accessible information builds trust, reduces confusion, and encourages patients to engage with care earlier and more confidently.
Supporting Better Patient Outcomes Through Translation
Translating key healthcare documents strengthens patient understanding, improves the care experience, and supports better outcomes across care settings. When patients clearly understand written information, they can participate more fully in their care, follow treatment plans, and make informed decisions.
These quick, simple six steps are a great way to improve your patient experience scores and health outcomes, no matter what language your patients speak or sign.
Linguava supports healthcare organizations with accurate medical translation services that align with regulatory expectations and patient needs. Our team works with providers to remove language barriers and support clear communication throughout the care process.
At Linguava, we have the highest number of qualified and certified interpreters in Oregon. If you are looking for high quality Onsite Interpretation, Scheduled Video Interpretation, Video Remote Interpretation, Over the Phone Interpretation, American Sign Language or Translation and Localization services and exceptional customer service, please contact our sales team at sales@linguava.com to learn more.
If you have documents ready for translation, you can request a file review and free quote here.
Video Transcript:
Here are six simple ways to improve your patient experience score as well as your patient’s health outcomes through document translation.
The first area would be signage. Making sure that you have all the necessary signage translated at least in the top 15 languages, so that every patient that’s walking through your lobby or hospital halls understands that language access is provided free of charge to them. This allows you to stay compliant with the Joint Commission.
The second area would be patient intake forms and discharge instructions. This allows your patients to fully participate in their health care, giving the right information upfront and then making sure they can follow the right post procedure instructions once they get home.
Number three would be informed consent and complaint forms. This allows your patients to make sure that they know what they’re signing up for and if there are any concerns or issues afterwards, and they have the proper channels to be able to file a complaint just like anyone else does.
Number four would be clinical trial documentation. This allows your patients to fully understand the other studies that have been done to make the best decision for themselves or their loved ones with what kind of care or procedure they want to utilize.
Number five would be prescription labels. Study that was done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows that when labels are not translated, there is four times as likely of a chance for misinterpretation than when they are.
Number six and the last one would be marketing and website making sure that you’re providing marketing materials, any flyers that you’re sending out in your patient’s native language so that they really understand what type of services you provide and is the right fit for them. These quick, simple six steps are a great way to improve your patient experience scores and health outcomes. No matter what language your patients speak or sign.
