What's New | November 11, 2009

Health Literacy

Nearly one in two adults living in the United States has limited health literacy, which affects their ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information, according to a 2004 Institute of Medicine report. The highest rates of limited health literacy are among people who are older, low-income, medically underserved, and minorities.

The featured innovations describe different approaches health professionals used in community-based settings to improve health literacy.

The featured QualityTools provide several resources to assess patient's health literacy and address patients with low health literacy.

Featured Innovations:

• Health Literacy Tutoring Program Enhances Access to Culturally Appropriate Education, Increases Knowledge and Skills Among Health Profession Students and Elder Immigrants
with Expert Commentary

• Home Visits Using Reflective Approach Improve Functional Health Literacy Among Low-Income Pregnant Women and New Parents

• Interactive Kiosks Enhance Access to Health Care Information for Underserved Women, Leading to Increased Motivation to Adopt Healthier Behaviors

Featured QualityTools:

• Health Literacy Measurement Tools
Developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), John M. Eisenberg Center at Oregon Health and Science University

• Health Literacy Toolkit: Better Communication for Better Care
Developed by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; The Rhode Island Health Literacy Project

• IDEALL Health Project: Improving Diabetes Efforts Across Language and Literacy: Automated Telephone Disease Management (ATDM) Protocol
Developed by Community Health Network of San Francisco

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Cooperative Network Improves Patient Transitions Between Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities, Reducing Readmissions and Length of Hospital Stays

• Intravenous Infusion Safety Initiative Prevents Medication Errors, Leading to Cost Savings and High Nurse Satisfaction

• Proactive Patient Rounding Reduces Call Light Use and Falls, Eliminates Pressure Ulcers, and Enhances Patient and Staff Satisfaction

• Realistic Simulations Improve Teamwork and Care Processes in the Operating Room

QualityTools >

• Accessible Health Information Technology (IT) for Populations With Limited Literacy: A Guide for Developers and Purchasers of Health IT
Developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Beginnings Guides
Developed by Practice Development Inc.

• Interactive Health Tutorials
Developed by Patient Education Institute