Improving hospital discharge for patients who speak limited English
Official title: Adapting an Evidence-Based Intervention to Improve the Hospital Discharge Process for Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11134669 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for patients who don’t speak English well to understand their discharge instructions from the hospital, so they can stay healthy and avoid coming back to the hospital.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $162,187 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MD019068-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134669 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with limited English proficiency who are being discharged from the hospital.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are proficient in English or those who do not require hospital discharge services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the hospital discharge process for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), who often face significant communication barriers. By adapting an existing evidence-based intervention known as ReEngineered Discharge (RED), the project aims to address the unique needs of LEP patients during discharge. The approach includes tailoring discharge instructions to ensure comprehension and accessibility, thereby reducing the risk of miscommunication and medication errors. The goal is to improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective hospital discharges for patients with limited English proficiency, ultimately improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous interventions aimed at improving hospital discharge processes have shown success, but this adaptation specifically for LEP patients is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Austad, Kirsten — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Austad, Kirsten
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.