Go to the link . View the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards (CLAS) categories aimed at equity and quality care (HHS, n.d.). Notice how these standards overlap with many of the expectations and standards in professional nursing practice! In what ways are you and your peers using these standards in your areas of nursing practice?
Introduction
The National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards aim to promote equity and quality care for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These standards have direct implications for professional nursing practice as they align with expectations and standards in the nursing profession. This essay will explore the ways in which nurses and their peers utilize the CLAS standards in their areas of nursing practice. It will examine how these standards impact patient care, improve communication, promote cultural sensitivity, and enhance the overall quality of nursing care.
Overview of CLAS Standards
The CLAS standards were developed by the Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These standards provide a framework for healthcare organizations to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services to diverse populations (Government Accountability Office, 2020). The CLAS standards consist of 15 categories that address various aspects of quality care, such as language access, cultural competency, and workforce diversity.
Impact on Patient Care
One of the key ways in which nurses and their peers utilize the CLAS standards is by integrating them into their patient care practices. The CLAS standards emphasize the importance of providing language assistance services to patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Nurses ensure that interpretation services are readily available for LEP patients, which enables effective communication and understanding of medical information (Bernard, 2017). By using these language services, nurses can ensure that patients fully comprehend their diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication instructions, which significantly enhances patient outcomes and safety.
Additionally, the CLAS standards advocate for the provision of culturally competent care. Nurses incorporate cultural assessments into their care plans to gain a better understanding of a patient’s beliefs, values, and practices. This enables nurses to tailor their care to align with the patient’s cultural needs and preferences. For example, a nurse may consider the cultural practices around diet and food preferences when planning meals for a patient (Campinha-Bacote, 2011). By acknowledging and respecting a patient’s cultural background, nurses create a more inclusive and comfortable environment, fostering trust and better patient-provider rapport.
Improving Communication
Effective communication is a vital component of nursing practice, and the CLAS standards play a significant role in enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Nurses and their peers utilize these standards by employing various strategies to bridge the language and communication gap. For instance, nurses may use visual aids, such as pictorial instructions or videos, to supplement verbal explanations, especially when interacting with patients who have limited English proficiency or low health literacy (Bernard, 2017). These tools facilitate better understanding and enable patients to actively participate in their care, leading to improved health outcomes.
Moreover, the CLAS standards promote the use of trained interpreters to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate communication. Nurses collaborate with professional interpreters, either in person or through telephone interpreting services, to facilitate effective communication with patients who do not speak English proficiently. By utilizing trained interpreters, nurses can avoid potential misunderstandings and errors that may arise from relying on family members or untrained individuals to interpret medical information (Manson et al., 2005).
Cultural Sensitivity
The CLAS standards emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity and respect for patients’ diverse backgrounds. Nurses integrate these principles into their practice by developing cultural awareness and competence. They recognize the impact of culture on health beliefs and practices and adapt their care to reflect cultural diversity. For instance, nurses may understand the significance of certain rituals or beliefs surrounding illness and death in a particular culture and provide care in a manner that respects these beliefs (Campinha-Bacote, 2011). By demonstrating cultural sensitivity, nurses create an inclusive and non-judgmental environment that promotes patient trust and satisfaction.
Enhancing Quality of Nursing Care
By implementing the CLAS standards, nurses and their peers contribute to the overall improvement of the quality of nursing care. The CLAS standards emphasize the importance of ongoing education and training for healthcare providers to enhance their cultural competence. Nurses attend cultural competency workshops and educational sessions to further develop their understanding and skills in providing care to diverse populations (Norman et al., 2013). This commitment to continuous learning equips nurses with the knowledge and tools necessary to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
Conclusion
The CLAS standards serve as a guide for nurses in their efforts to provide equitable and quality care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Nurses and their peers utilize these standards in numerous ways, including improving patient care, enhancing communication, promoting cultural sensitivity, and enhancing the overall quality of nursing care. By integrating the CLAS standards into their practice, nurses contribute to the development of a more inclusive and patient-centered healthcare system.