Value of Providing Equitable Patient Education Through the Evaluation of Health Literacy

This study evaluates the impact of implementing the BRIEF Health Literacy Assessment Tool in an inpatient setting to improve nurses' ability to identify low health literacy and tailor patient education accordingly. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) underpins this study, emphasizing the importance of assessing patients' ability to understand and manage their health. A quantitative correlational design was used. Nurses on a medical-surgical unit administered the BRIEF Health Literacy Assessment Tool to patients upon admission. Patients identified with low health literacy received supplemental education. Data on patient outcomes (length of stay, 7-day and 30-day readmission rates) and nurse feedback were collected and analyzed.