Evaluating Spanish Translations of Emergency Department Discharge Instructions by a Large Language Model: Tool
Jossie A Carreras Tartak1, Ryan Cl Brewster2, Daniela Arango Isaza3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
JMIR Formative Research
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Large language models like Claude Sonnet can accurately translate emergency department discharge instructions into Spanish. This technology shows promise for improving patient understanding and care for Spanish-speaking individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Natural Language Processing
- Health Communication
Background:
- Emergency department (ED) discharge instructions are critical for patient recovery and adherence to treatment plans.
- Effective communication of discharge instructions is essential, particularly for patients with limited English proficiency.
- Ensuring accurate translation of medical information is a significant challenge in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of Spanish translations for emergency department discharge instructions generated by a large language model (LLM).
- To assess the utility of LLM-generated translations in a clinical context.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 100 emergency department discharge instructions was provided to Claude Sonnet, a specific LLM.
- The LLM generated Spanish translations of these instructions.
- The accuracy of the translated instructions was evaluated by a panel of Spanish-speaking physicians and medical interpreters.
Main Results:
- Claude Sonnet produced Spanish translations of the ED discharge instructions.
- Evaluations by Spanish-speaking physicians and medical interpreters indicated that the translations were accurate.
- The LLM demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in translating complex medical information.
Conclusions:
- Large language models are capable of generating accurate Spanish translations of emergency department discharge instructions.
- This technology holds potential for improving healthcare communication and patient comprehension among Spanish-speaking populations.
- Further research can explore the integration of LLMs into clinical workflows for enhanced patient education.
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