Health literacy and patient safety events

Health literacy and patient safety events

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Author(s):
Gardner, Lea Anne, author
Contributor(s):
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority, issuing body.
ECRI (Organization), issuing body.
Institute for Safe Medication Practices, issuing body.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, June 2016
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Communication
Health Literacy
Medical Errors -- prevention & control
Patient Safety
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Structuring and presenting healthcare information that aligns with a patient's level of understanding can help patients achieve optimal outcomes. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is participating in a statewide health literacy initiative focused on providing strategies to healthcare providers that help patients understand and engage in their medical care. A search of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System identified 265 potential health literacy--related event reports in which patients misunderstood or did not comprehend healthcare instructions provided to them by healthcare clinicians. The most frequent outcomes of patients misunderstanding instructions or information were delayed or cancelled procedures, surgeries, treatments, or tests; or patients leaving without being seen. Verbal communication strategies such as "teach back" and "Ask Me 3®" programs and written strategies address opportunities identified in the event reports and may help improve patient understanding and engagement in their care.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-ND license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (pages 58-65))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101685502 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101685502