Patient education/information..ideas?

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

How does your department pass on patient education and information to the patient? I'm primarily talking about papers the pt can take home with them.

We used to give education handouts and I would find them scattered all over the room. Now we have a small organizer in the room to help capture the information in one place, yet it either seems to sit there and not be read by the patient, or forgotten by them when they leave.

What do others do? I'm looking for ideas. Thanks. :)

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

Our entire hospital has recently implemented within the past year a computerized education system. :) Each television is basically a hardwired computer. Nurses and doctors can prescribe education (health videos, safety, etc) - and a little bubble will pop up in the middle of their TV watching asking them to complete the necessary education. When they watch the videos, they are given a short comprehension test. The results of all of this are charted in the EMR. If they fail the "test" (it is one to three questions, btw), a task is generated to the nurse to follow up.

It sounds awesome, right?

It makes me want to shoot myself square in the head. LOL!!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Our entire hospital has recently implemented within the past year a computerized education system. :) Each television is basically a hardwired computer. Nurses and doctors can prescribe education (health videos, safety, etc) - and a little bubble will pop up in the middle of their TV watching asking them to complete the necessary education. When they watch the videos, they are given a short comprehension test. The results of all of this are charted in the EMR. If they fail the "test" (it is one to three questions, btw), a task is generated to the nurse to follow up.

It sounds awesome, right?

It makes me want to shoot myself square in the head. LOL!!

We have an education system much like that, but we don't know if the pt views the video or if they past the test. Some of the information given to them are Daisy award nomination forms, education on their diagnosis, and information on local help, such as the senior center.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

Yes, ours is directly linked with the EMR - so if they fail the test or don't take it, the nurses are made aware of it and know that they need to follow up.

That being said, it's an entirely different beast getting people to watch the videos!

[Muser69]

If I was in the hospital and they made me watch a video and take a test I would sign out AMA. And stay out of my room when you try to give report.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

They aren't really tests. It's like two questions. And the videos... like all education... are voluntary. I can prescribe the hell out of them, doesn't mean they watch them. Even though they really should.

Hey heavy smoking mom to the kid on continuous nebs for the sixth time this year - these asthma videos might be beneficial.

[RNyo]

We have TWO useless nurse educators that don't even talk to patients, they do the ass' managers job and round but that's it. Do you have a patient educator at least? Their should be one lady who teaches and discharges. Thoughts? And yes we are an I'M telemetry unit in the burbs.