(CLAS) Standards vs ASRT Practice Standards

There are many standards adopted by healthcare governing bodies.  All standards are written for the purpose of ensuring quality care for the patient population they serve.  In this section, I am comparing and contrasting the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care and the ASRT Practice Standardshttps://www.asrt.org/standards-and-regulations which governs the field of radiation therapy.

Both documents seek to ensure that care is provided in a non-discriminatory and non- judgemental way to those of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, and beliefs.

ASRT Practice Standard 12:  “Delivers patient care and service free from bias or discrimination.  Provides health care services with consideration for a diverse patient population.”

CLAS Standard 1: “Provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care and services that are responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred language, health literacy, and other communication needs”

ASRT Practice Standard 3:  “Provides accurate explanations and instructions at an appropriate time and at a level the patient and their care providers can understand; addresses questions and concerns regarding the procedure.”

CLAS Standard 5: “Offer language assistance to individuals who have limited English proficiency and/or other communication needs, at no cost to them, to facilitate timely access to all health care and services”