NHS-FPX4020_AppohGabriel_Assessment1-1
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Capella University *
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Feb 20, 2024
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Enhancing Quality and Safety in Healthcare Setting
Gabriel Appoh
Capella University
NHS-FPX4020
Dr. June Bryant
August 1, 2023
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Enhancing Quality and Safety in Healthcare Setting
Low Health Literacy
Low health literacy poses a significant challenge to healthcare settings, affecting the quality and safety of patient care. Health literacy refers to the ability to comprehend and apply health-related information to make well-informed decisions about one's health care (Choudhry et al., 2019). Individuals with low health literacy frequently require assistance understanding health
information, adhering to medical instructions, and actively participating in collaborative decision-making with healthcare providers. Low health literacy emphasizes the significance of enhancing healthcare communication and making information easily accessible so patients can effectively manage their health and make informed decisions about their care.
Factors Leading to Low Health Literacy
In healthcare settings, low health literacy significantly impacts patient outcomes and treatment adherence. According to Svendsen et al. (2020), several factors contribute to low health literacy, which includes; patients with limited medical knowledge can be confused by complicated medical terminology; Time constraints resulting in rushed explanations which hinder patient understanding; Lack of patient-centered communication tailored to individual needs, and written materials may be excessively complex. Health information overload during visits and cultural/language barriers worsens the issue; using digital health instruments poses additional difficulties for those with limited digital literacy. Healthcare providers must prioritize clear communication and patient participation in decision-making to address low health literacy. Patients can be empowered to better manage their health with the help of simplified language and culturally sensitive approaches.
Solutions to Low Health Literacy to Improve Patient Safety on
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Medication and Cost Reduction
Improving patient safety in the context of low health literacy regarding medication administration and reducing costs requires solutions based on evidence and best practices. Organizations, including the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now known as the National Academy of Medicine), have developed guidelines and recommendations to resolve these challenges effectively.
Evidence-Based Solutions
When conducting a health literacy evaluation, using evidence-based instruments such as the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) or the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) helps locate patients who have a low health literacy level (Emerson et al., 2020). Similarly, harnessing technology to give individualized prescription information and reminders through electronic health records (EHRs) and mobile health applications is another evidence-based strategy that increases patient engagement and adherence.
Best-Practice Solutions
The best ways to keep patients safe when they do not understand how to take their medications are through patient-centered communication, visual aids; medication reconciliation; personalized education and counseling about medications; health literacy training for healthcare workers (Engle et al., 2019). Based on what experts agree on and what has worked well in the past, these methods aim to improve patient understanding, better meet individual needs, and improve interactions between patients and providers, thus leading to safer medication administration and better patient outcomes.
How Nurses Can Coordinate to Reduce Low Health Literacy and Improve Patient Safety in Medication Administration and Cost Reduction
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Nurses can significantly enhance patient safety and reduce costs by managing low health literacy when providing medication. Regarding O'Brien (2019), by using instruments like the REALM or NVS to gauge patients' health literacy levels, they can begin by providing individualized communication and education and increase patients' comprehension of drugs and potential side effects by using patient-centered communication techniques and visual aids. In addition, nurses' participation in medication reconciliation and administration review helps to avoid mistakes and adverse outcomes. Nurses can address particular patient requirements and give patients the tools to effectively manage their health by providing tailored medication education and counseling. Nurses' efforts to coordinate care led to improved patient outcomes and more effective use of healthcare resources.
Co-ordination between Nurses and Other Stakeholders to Improve Quality and Safety in Medication Administration
Nurses must collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance quality and safety in reducing low health literacy during medication administration, fostering effective communication and cooperation. Physicians and prescribers play an essential role in explaining pharmaceutical instructions to patients who have inadequate health literacy; Pharmacists help by validating pharmaceutical orders and providing explicit counseling; coordinating with allied healthcare providers ensures that patients receive comprehensive care; engaging health educators
helps to improve patient education initiatives; implementing evidence-based methods requires the support of healthcare administrators; patient advocates and support groups provide valuable insights that help customize interventions; the use of digital solutions for patient education and communication is made possible by collaboration with technological specialists (Ciliberti et al.,
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2020). Nurses can create significant gains in patient safety and quality of care related to low health literacy and drug administration by working collaboratively with these stakeholders.
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References
Choudhry, F., Ming, L., Munawar, K., Zaidi, S., Patel, R., Khan, T., & Elmer, S. (2019). Health Literacy Studies Conducted in Australia: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
, 16
(7), 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16071112
Ciliberti, R., Bragazzi, N. L., & Bonsignore, A. (2020). The Implementation of the Professional Role of the Community Pharmacist in the Immunization Practices in Italy to Counteract Vaccine Hesitancy. Pharmacy
, 8
(3), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy8030155
Emerson, M. R., Buckland, S., Lawlor, M. A., Dinkel, D., Johnson, D. J., Mickles, M. S., Fok, L., & Watanabe-Galloway, S. (2022). Addressing and evaluating health literacy in mHealth: a scoping review. MHealth
, 8
(0). https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth-22-11
Engle, R. L., Mohr, D. C., Holmes, S. K., Seibert, M. N., Afable, M., Leyson, J., & Meterko, M. (2019). Evidence-based practice and patient-centered care: doing both well. Health Care Management Review
, 46
(3), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0000000000000254
O'Brien, K. H. (2019). Social determinants of health: the how, who, and where screenings occur; a systematic review. Social Work in Health Care
, 58
(8), 719–745. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2019.1645795
Svendsen, M. T., Bak, C. K., Sørensen, K., Pelikan, J., Riddersholm, S. J., Skals, R. K., Mortensen, R. N., Maindal, H. T., Bøggild, H., Nielsen, G., & Torp-Pedersen, C. (2020). Associations of health literacy with socioeconomic position, health risk behavior, and health status: a large national population-based survey among Danish adults. BMC Public
Health
, 20
(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08498-8
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