The cost of language barriers in health care: a case for translation support

Language barriers in health care are more than an inconvenience - they have tangible consequences for patients, healthcare providers, and organizations. From increased clinical risks to administrative inefficiencies and legal liabilities, the financial toll of miscommunication is staggering. However, solutions like Care to Translate demonstrate how modern tools can bridge this gap effectively, offering both cost savings and improved care quality.

Let’s explore the profound impact of language barriers and how healthcare institutions are turning the tide with innovative solutions.

The hidden costs of language barriers

Clinical outcomes: The price of miscommunication

When patients and providers struggle to understand each other, the consequences can be severe:

Misdiagnoses and medical errors: Non-native speakers are 2-4 times more likely to experience mistakes in their care.
Prolonged hospital stays: Patients with language barriers spend an average of 0.5-2 additional days in the hospital, adding significant costs to their care.

For a hospital treating 100,000 patients annually, with 10% requiring translation support:

Extended hospital stays: €5 million annually.
Repeated procedures and errors: €500,000-€1,000,000 annually.

These costs underscore the urgent need for efficient communication tools. As the Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland points out:

“When services are more accurate, faster, and safer, it leads to cost-effective healthcare delivery in the long run.”

Administrative inefficiencies: Time is money

Healthcare providers spend extra time gathering patient information, explaining procedures, or rescheduling follow-ups for patients with limited language proficiency.

Providers spend at least an additional 10-15 minutes per encounter with non-native speakers.
For a hospital with 300,000 patient interactions annually, this translates to €375,000 in extra costs.

Feedback from one of the largest hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden highlights how Care to Translate saves time by offering a safer and more accurate alternative to tools like Google Translate. This allows providers to focus on delivering care rather than overcoming communication hurdles.

Legal and compliance risks: The high stakes of non-compliance

Hospitals that fail to provide adequate language support face increased legal risks, including malpractice lawsuits and regulatory penalties:

Language-related malpractice cases can cost hospitals €200,000 per case, with 2-5 cases annually.
Non-compliance with language access directives can result in fines of up to €100,000 annually.

The combined cost of legal risks adds up to €600,000-€700,000 annually. These numbers highlight the importance of compliant and efficient translation solutions.

A cost-effective solution: Care to Translate

Why Care to Translate?

Unlike traditional interpreter services, Care to Translate offers a scalable, affordable, and user-friendly alternative tailored for health care. We provide a comprehensive digital library with thousands of pre-translated medical phrases spanning 47+ languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Urdu and Tigrinya. This covers a wide range of medical situations, from routine check-ups and explaining diagnoses to managing emergencies and providing post-operative care.

In 2025, we will introduce a real time translation add-on feature opening up for dynamic dialogues in 135 languages. For more info get in touch.

Case studies: Proven savings across healthcare settings

Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden):
The mammography clinic adopted Care to Translate as a cost-effective alternative to interpreters. The app saved the clinic money while ensuring uninterrupted care for patients.
Helse Møre & Romsdal (Norway):
By replacing expensive interpreter services with Care to Translate, the hospital saved significant resources in emergency departments.
Molde Municipality (Norway):
As Molde Kommune shared: “The app definitely can save costs since I can use it in simpler situations where I previously needed expensive interpreter services.”
Mälarsjukhuset (Sweden):
In radiology, the app maximized resources by enabling urgent scans even when interpreters were unavailable, leading to significant cost savings.

The numbers speak for themselves

With professional interpreter services in combination with Care to Translate, a hospital treating 10,000 patients requiring translation support can cover 30,000 patient interactions annually at an estimated cost of €25 per patient interaction.

This investment reduces errors, inefficiencies, and risks by 50% (or more) at a cost of €750,000, a fraction of the costs incurred without such a system.

Possible net savings: €2.49 million or more annually
Excluding legal and compliance costs: €1.89 million or more in savings annually

Beyond cost savings: Better care for all

Investing in a solution like Care to Translate isn’t just about saving money. It’s about ensuring equitable care for diverse populations while improving operational efficiency and legal compliance.

Efficient services: Faster, safer, and more accurate communication, as highlighted by Landspitali University Hospital.
Cost-effectiveness: From ambulance services to ICU units, organizations report reduced reliance on costly interpreters.
Scalability: Care to Translate adapts to various settings, from radiology to refugee care.

Take action against language barriers

The cost of inaction is clear - miscommunication results in wasted resources, avoidable legal risks, and suboptimal patient outcomes. Care to Translate offers a proven, cost-effective solution that empowers healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care without breaking the bank.

Discover how much your organization could save with our Savings calculator.

Book a demo

With solutions like Care to Translate, healthcare systems can break down language barriers and create a more inclusive, efficient, and financially sustainable future. Email us or book a demo to explore our solution and discover the potential value it can bring to your organization.

The cost of inaction is too high. Implementing a robust translation support system pays off - not just in euros saved, but in lives improved.