Case Study: How EPPA Fixed Interpretation Gaps in 2026
⦿ About
About EPPA Health
Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA Health) is a physician-owned healthcare group with over 300 board-certified emergency physicians and advanced practice clinicians. EPPA staffs 17 hospital emergency departments and three Urgency Rooms across metro, central, and rural Minnesota. Their mission is to deliver world-class care while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and respect.
⦿ Problem
Communication barriers put patient safety at risk
While EPPA provides expert emergency and urgent care, language barriers were causing serious challenges when treating patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). However, waiting for in-person interpreters in fast-paced emergencies led to miscommunications and increased patient risks.
Delays and mistakes in interpretation caused operational problems and put EPPA at risk of not meeting federal language access regulations.
Relying on untrained family members or staff as interpreters was not an option, because they may misinterpret up to 50% of clinician questions. EPPA Health turned to The Language Doctors for professional translation and interpretation services.
⦿ Solution
HIPAA-compliant language support by TLD
To meet EPPA’s language needs, TLD implemented a HIPAA-compliant interpretation program that included 24/7 on-demand telephone interpretation for common and rare languages. Also, we provided Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for real-time video support and certified in-person interpreters for critical situations.
The program was integrated into the existing workflow, and staff training ensured smooth adoption with minimal disruption.
Fast, safe, and inclusive care
The results of TLD’s activities had a positive impact on EPPA Health’s operations:
- Reduced communication-related errors
- Increased patient satisfaction and trust
- Ensured compliance with federal and state language access regulations
- Improved efficiency in inpatient consultations
- Reduced appointment times
Thanks to TLD’s fast, reliable interpretation services, EPPA Health’s physicians can quickly connect with patients in their preferred language, strengthening trust, improving the care experience, and building lasting patient loyalty.
