Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1) describe the process that was used to developed the fourteen national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate health care (CLAS); 2) describe the key components of the fourteen standards; and 3) describe specific steps for implementing the standards on CLAS.
Abstract Text: As the U.S. population becomes more diverse, providers of health care will increasingly interact with patients/consumers from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Because culture and language are vital factors in how health care services are delivered and received, it is important that health care organizations and their staff understand and respond with sensitivity to the needs and preferences that culturally and linguistically diverse patients/consumers bring to the health encounter. Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to these patients has the potential to improve access to care, quality of care, and, ultimately, health outcomes.
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) undertook the development of national standards to provide a much-needed alternative to the current patchwork of independently developed definitions, practices, and requirements concerning CLAS. This effort resulted in the development of fourteen national recommended standards for adoption or adaptation by stakeholder organizations and agencies. In their final version, the CLAS standards reflect input from a broad range of stakeholders, including health care organizations; physicians, nurses, and other providers; professional associations; State and Federal agencies and other policymakers; accreditation agencies; educators; and patient advocates and consumers. The standards are being pilot-tested at a managed care organization.
See www.omhrc.gov/clas
Learning Objectives: Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1) describe the process that was used to developed the national standards for culturally and lingistically appropriate health care (CLAS); 2) describe the key components of the national standards; and 3) describe specific steps for implementing the standards on CLAS.
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Standards
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.