*PR: – CLARIFICATION: Requirements for Collecting a Patient’s Preferred Language[®] [REF:PtAd, RN, SW,] Perspectives, December 2013, Vol 33, #12, Pg 6 JCp1312_B1

Identifying a patients preferred language is a requirement of both RC.02.01.01 EP1 and PC.02.01.21 EP1.  Whether it is labeled ‘Preferred Language‘, ‘Primary Language’ or some other variation/abbreviation, the point of collecting this information is to identify the language that the patient would be most comfortable using to communicate about his/her healthcare.   It is also to help determine the presence of limited-English proficiency (LEP) and the need for language access services.  
Tip: Make sure staff understand the true purpose for identifying preferred language (Note: this is the terminology used by CMS).