Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Emergency department discharge instructions and patient literacy: a problem of disparity
D M Williams1, F L Counselman, C D Caggiano
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.
Abstract:
This two-part study was designed to determine the reading level necessary to understand commonly used emergency department (ED) discharge instructions and the functioning reading level of adult patients treated in an urban hospital ED. In the first phase, 10 preprinted patient discharge instructions were analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score. The average reading level required to comprehend these instructions was 9.8, with a range from the 8th to the 14th grade. In the second phase of the study, a reading exam, based on the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test, was administered to 82 ED patients prospectively. The mean reading level was 9.8, with a median level of 10; approximately 45% of the ED patients would be unable to understand the preprinted discharge instructions. ED discharge instructions are frequently written at a level beyond the comprehension of a significant portion of the population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Health Literacy
Guidelines for Nursing Documentation I
Factual:
The following points emphasize the significance of upholding accurate and unbiased documentation in healthcare.
Methods of Documentation III: PIE
Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:

