Is your organization meeting the National CLAS Standard 7?
Standard 7 | Ensure the competence of individuals providing language assistance services clearly and in their preferred language, verbally and in writing.
Purpose | Standard 7 helps to provide accurate and effective communication between individuals and providers; reduces misunderstanding, dissatisfaction, omission of vital information, misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatment, and patient safety issues due to reliance on staff or individuals that lack interpreter training; empowers individuals to negotiate and advocate, on their own behalf, for important services via effective and accurate communication with health and health care staff; helps organizations comply with requirements such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and other federal, state, and local requirements to which they may need to adhere.
Strategies for Achievement | Examples of Strategies:
- Assess the individual’s ability to provide language assistance. The American Translators Association upholds standards of practice for translation services. Similarly, the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care has issued standards of practice that define expectations of performance and outcomes for health care interpreters. In addition, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters and the National Board for Certification of Medical Interpreters provide national certification for interpreters.
- Employ a “multifaceted model” of language assistance. Organizations may provide language assistance according to a variety of models, including bilingual staff or dedicated language assistance (e.g., a contract interpreter or video remote interpreting). A combination of models, or a multifaceted model, offers the organization a “comprehensive and flexible system [for] facilitating communication.” Under a multifaceted model, for example, telephonic interpreting will supplement the language assistance provided by bilingual staff to ensure that at all times, language assistance is being provided by competent individuals.
For additional strategies, see “The Blueprint“ an implementation guide to help you advance and sustain CLAS within your organization.
The Checklist | Work with your team to complete this Implementation Checklist for the National CLAS Standards to find areas of opportunity and create your CLAS Action Worksheet.
The Great Plains QIN team developed a simple video to outline the National CLAS Standard 7. If you have questions or would like technical assistance on how to implement the National CLAS Standards, contact a member of the Great Plains QIN Team.
Information adapted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Healthcare: Access the Blueprint for Advancing and Sustaining CLAS Policy and Practice.