Enhancing Patient Education for Improved Healthcare Outcomes
Toni Land, MBA, BSN, CPXP, LCC
Public Speaker | President & CXO Landing Exceptional Experiences We partner with organizations to build cultures that improve patient experience measures and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
High rates of hospital readmissions within 30 days signal care quality problems and heightened mortality risks. They stem from ineffective initial treatment, subpar discharge planning, and insufficient post-acute care. These frequent readmissions not only compromise patient outcomes but also impose financial burdens on healthcare providers, leading to penalties and deterring prospective patients. - NIH 2023
When I began nursing school, we were taught from day one, "Discharge starts on Admission." This approach trained us to plan and educate patients and their families from the moment they are admitted to our unit.
A notable study from AHRQ revealed that almost 20% of patients face adverse events within 3 weeks of discharge, with around three-quarters of these incidents being preventable or manageable. Adverse drug events, followed by hospital-acquired infections and procedural complications, pose significant challenges post-discharge.
Most nurses give patient discharge instructions before discharge. However, printing discharge instructions and giving them to the patient is not enough.
When evaluating the data on the following HCAHPS Questions:
-Patients who reported that YES, they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home. On average 70-80% of patients reported that they were given information on what to do at home.
-Patients who “Strongly Agree” they understood their care when they left the hospital. Only half of the patients felt that they understood those instructions.
The hospital environment often overwhelms patients, complicating the educational process. Research indicates that adults need to hear information seven times to retain it. Repeating details like medication names, purposes, and side effects aids in patient recall.
Delaying education until discharge limits opportunities for patients to absorb information effectively.
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To enhance patient and family education retention:
1. Integrate repetition into daily routines using varied mediums (e.g., video, print, verbal, text).
2. Embed daily educational nuggets into existing care pathways to simplify comprehension and reduce pressure on discharge nurses.
By initiating patient education early, in line with the concept of discharge starting on admission, we can empower patients and families, and decrease LOS and readmissions.
I'm Toni Land, the Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Landing Exceptional Experiences. We partner with healthcare organizations to improve patient experience and quality measures that impact Leapfrog Hospital Grades.
Want to learn more?
Feel free to check out the calendar link or dive into our webinar details below! Book a slot for a complimentary consultation here: Toni's Calendar
Scan the QR code beneath to join our upcoming webinar "Making the Leap: How to Jump from Tadpole to Frog in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade."
Dedicated Patient Coordinator in Nursing School, committed to top-tier care. Striving for excellence, refining skills for seamless healthcare
11moWithout a doubt, the best results and a seamless transition can only be achieved if discharge planning begins as soon as a patient is admitted. Healthcare practitioners can empower patients and families to participate actively in their care and help them prepare for what comes after discharge by proactively educating them early on. This strategy helps shorten hospital stays and lowers readmission rates by providing patients with the information and tools they need to take good care of themselves at home. In addition, it improves the patient experience by encouraging participation and a sense of cooperation throughout the course of their medical journey. This way of thinking highlights how crucial proactive and all-encompassing care delivery is to getting the best possible results for patients.
Patient & Family Experience, Nursing Leadership, Care Team Advocacy, Patient Advocacy
12moI couldn't agree more with this, Toni. AI and EHRs have so much potential to help deliver Patient Education in a smart, meaningful way. In addition, we have a lot of work to do with meeting patients where they are from a health literacy standpoint. Thanks for bringing up this important topic.
President at Berger Consulting, LLC, I help health care professionals help patients manage chronic illness (motivational interviewing) and build authentic relationships, 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑
12moGreat points, Toni Land, MBA, BSN, CPXP Founder/CXO Landing Exceptional Experiences Checking for understanding is absolutely vital. Asking questions like, "Could you tell me in your own words what diabetes means to you" or "What is your understanding of what the medicine you will be taking will do?", etc. helps to assess understanding and gaps in education or even motivation.
President at Berger Consulting, LLC, I help health care professionals help patients manage chronic illness (motivational interviewing) and build authentic relationships, 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑
12moGreat points, Toni! Checking for understanding is absolutely vital. Asking questions like, "Could you tell me in your own words what diabetes means to you" or "What is your understanding of what the medicine you will be taking will do?", etc. helps to assess understanding and gaps in education or even motivation.
Org Culture Change, Patient Experience, PFAC Coach, Employee Engagement, Process Improvement, and CAHPS & NPS Survey Expert
12moThank you Toni, great reminder to all!! As you identified, Teach back is best practice, encouraging the patient to repeat back what they comprehended and understood. It then allows clinician to either repeat the info if not understood or explain in a way that the patient can better relate to...