Implementing Active Offer of Services in Both Official Languages in a Hospital Setting in Ontario.

Abstract

Providing services in a patient's preferred language is linked to safe and quality care. This paper presents the process and outcomes of implementing practices of active offer (AO) of French-language services in a hospital setting in a region of Ontario with a low density of francophones. Participating unit managers and site coordinators selected AO practices and carried out an implementation plan. The implementation's success was linked to the support received from higher management and site coordinators. Challenges included the managers' rival priorities and perceived language priorities. This process could be applied to meet the needs of other language communities.