Journal of general internal medicine
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Disparities in life-saving interventions for low-income patients with cirrhosis necessitate innovative models of care. ⋯ Patients with refractory ascites in large safety net hospitals may benefit from an outpatient procedure clinic instead of ED care.
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Machine translation (MT) apps are used informally by healthcare professionals in many settings, especially where interpreters are not readily available. As MT becomes more accurate and accessible, it may be tempting to use MT more widely. Institutions and healthcare professionals need guidance on when and how these applications might be used safely and how to manage potential risks to communication. ⋯ While professional interpreters remain the gold standard for overcoming language barriers, voice-to-voice MT may be acceptable in some clinical situations. Healthcare institutions and professionals must be attentive to potential sources of MT errors and ensure the conditions necessary for safe and effective communication. More research in natural settings is needed to inform guidelines and training on using MT in clinical communication.