Literacy in the Health Care Field

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

In NY, they are now mandating that employees working in Central Supply should be certified in their field by 2009, and they are trying to offer classes in preparation for the exam. This is supposed to affect approximately 150 employees that work for the city. Thus far, 49 of them sat for the exam and only 6 passed-- many are below first grade level. This is really sad, because many of these employees have worked for so many years without the ability to read and have gotten by.

The union is having a hard time telling these people that this is a mandate from the State; that there will be no grandfathering of employees without this, and that discovering that these people cannot read will be a liability to the hospital. In fact, there is no area to place these employees. How can you place someone even in housekeeping or dietary without the ability to read? They are dealing with chemicals, or feeding our patients. How would they know that a patient is to receive a pureed, chopped or diabetic diet? What if the housekeeper uses an agent that is dangerous to the patients and staff?

I do feel bad for these people because one cannot say that they are not productive people in society, but they are clearly a risk! Many of them, I am sure, are single parents, head of household or just not in a position to be unemployed in this day and age. From what I hear, many of them are within the ages of 40-55. I wonder if their supervisors or co-workers knew they are unable to read?! But, I can be in the hospital, or my loved ones, in a very vulnerable position and there would be no way that a person can explain to me that they allowed someone to work there, risking my life, either directly or indirectly that cannot read. I don't know if I encountered these people in my area of work, but I guess I can't be surprized. I really hope that if they do, in fact, lay off these employees that some sort of education on basic reading and math is set up for them so that they can at least find jobs elsewhere with benefits for themselves and their families.

Any thoughts?

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

I think both the facilities and the unions should be helping these people get into literacy programs.

I've seen ESL and GED classes offered or subsidized by employers. Most hospitals have classrooms; teachers could be hired to come in and work with the employees.

It wouldn't hurt to ask for employees to volunteer to help tutor, either.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I agree, because it would cover both needs, the interests of the facility in decreasing patient and employee risk, and the employees for retaining their positions and also for the sheer importance of being able to read. There is a great benefit for learning to read, and it should be done with dignity and understanding.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

It would be nice if they employers would help rectify the problem for these employees. But while these people are getting their GED and learning to read is the facility supposed to pay their bills? It is unfortunate but who is responsible for teaching them? I think it needs to be paid for by the state that let them fall through the cracks to begin with. Then maybe an automatic rehire clause from their employer if they get the education and if they pass their GED or literacy test.