Influence of Medical Interpreters on the Healthcare Experiences of Hospitalized Spanish-Speaking Patients

Introduction: The perspective of hospitalized patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in US hospitals interacting with language-discordant healthcare providers remains understudied. Our goal is to examine the inpatient experiences of Spanish-speaking patients and offer suggestions to improve patient satisfaction. Methods: A survey was administered to Spanish-speaking patients using interpreters during their admission to medicine at an urban, academic hospital. Qualitative thematic analysis of responses was conducted. Results: Thirty-six patients completed the survey. Despite limited use of interpreters, the majority of patients rated interpretation services as excellent, reported high level of involvement in care and respect of their opinions, and preferred video remote interpreting and in-person interpreters. Language barrier and cost affected patients' comfort level requesting health care services. The mean patient satisfaction score was 9.64. Patients suggested an increase in bilingual personnel, improved access to interpreters, specifically in-person. Conclusion: Although highly satisfied, patients reported inconsistent use of interpretation services in the inpatient setting and suboptimal access. Hospitals should strive to provide language-concordant care and patient-centered interpretation. Patients' understanding of their health care rights needs better assessment to ease the inpatient experience. Further research is needed to estimate the regard for autonomy by Spanish-speaking patients in their own care.

Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Breast Treated With Partial Mastectomy and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the breast (LELC) is a rarely encountered form of breast carcinoma, and there is limited information treatment for this entity. We present a case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal female presenting with a left breast mass on screening mammogram with core needle biopsy showing lymphoepithelial carcinoma. The patient was treated with surgical resection of the mass and sentinel lymph node biopsy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. Given the rarity of this type of breast carcinoma, our case study continues to add to the treatment considerations in the literature, specifically the role of sentinel lymph node.

Adenomyoepithelioma of the Breast in the Setting of Prior Contralateral Breast Malignancy

An 81-year-old female patient underwent a screening mammogram one year after completing treatment for right-sided estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR)-negative ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A new 1-cm mass was noted in the contralateral breast. Ultrasound and percutaneous core needle biopsy results were suggestive of an atypical papillary lesion. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the final pathology was consistent with a benign adenomyoepithelioma (AME). Surgical resection was considered her definitive treatment. AME of the breast is a rare clinical entity, with only a handful of case reports and case series available. In this case report, we review common clinical and radiologic presentations, methods of diagnosis, and recommendations for management based on current literature. The presence of an AME in the background of a previous or synchronous breast malignancy occurs in a very small percentage of cases. On review of available literature, we identified other cases with a past or current history of breast malignancy.