Module 9 Final Project: Policy Memorandum

Running Head: FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Executive Summary

Maria Williams

Southern New Hampshire University

08/08/2021

Executive Summary

In light of the proposed Bill by the General Assembly that requires all hospitals in the State of Albacore to ensure that 30% of the workforce speak Spanish, a few changes have to be made in Bass Hospital. Cultural competency is a crucial component in the healthcare system since it enhances communication between caregivers and patients (Almutairi et al., 2017). Additionally, cultural competency increases the level of involvement of patients in their treatment, which not only increases the quality of patient care but also patients’ satisfaction with the healthcare services (Almutairi eta la., 2017). Currently, 15% of Bass Hospital’s workforce are Spanish speakers, which implies that Bass hospital needs to double the current number in order to attain the required percentage of Spanish Speaking healthcare workers.

While increasing the number of Spanish speaking healthcare workers is the main matter at hand, it is also crucial to increase the number of certified medical interpreters (CMI) in Bass hospital. The HRM department has confirmed that there is a shortage of certified medical interpreters in Albacore. Increasing the number of interpreters in the hospital would increase the quality of care since their services increase the understanding of medical services and products by clients (Wu & Rawal, 2017). Although increasing the number of Spanish-speaking healthcare professionals would increase communication between the staff and patients, it is undeniable that the services of CMI are important and needed.

In order to succeed in the proposed recruitment plans, it would be necessary to increase the salaries of the current healthcare workers. In that regard, it is necessary to ensure that remuneration increments are done in accordance with the union affiliation for those who are registered under labor unions. The rationale for increasing the number of Spanish-speaking healthcare workers and CMI is to continue receiving the Medicaid reimbursement funds. Additionally, Bass Hospital would have a competitive advantage over its rivals in the healthcare sector in Albacore State since the Albacore Hospital Association is opposed to the Bill. The implication is that most if not all hospitals in Albacore will have a shortage of Spanish-speaking healthcare workers, which will reduce their competitive edge. Since more than 40% of all patients visiting the Bass hospital emergency department speak Spanish as their primary language, it is accurate to believe that the same is true for other hospitals in Albacore State. Therefore, it is crucial to increase the number of Spanish-speaking workers by half, and to employ more CMI to increase the quality of patient care, and to give Bass Hospital a competitive advantage.

References

Almutairi, A. F., Adlan, A. A., & Nasim, M. (2017). Perceptions of the critical cultural competence of registered nurses in Canada. BMC nursing, 16(1), 1-9.

Wu, M. S., & Rawal, S. (2017). “It’s the difference between life and death”: The views of professional medical interpreters on their role in the delivery of safe care to patients with limited English proficiency. PloS one, 12(10), 1-11.