Kelsey Leonard

Delivery of Information to the Patient Bedside Utilizing Skylight In-Room Television Service

This article describes the innovative use of the in-room television system, Skylight, to facilitate delivery of health information to patients in their hospital rooms. Skylight alerts, initiated by patients, result in librarians conducting reference interviews. Delivery of information to nursing stations allows clinical staff to verify and document patient comprehension of the information in the electronic medical record. Results from the initial year are discussed, including topics requested, which are indexed using Medical Subject Headings. This patient-initiated, library-facilitated method of meeting health information needs of patients delivers trustworthy and authoritative disease and treatment information to patients in their hospital rooms.

Evaluating Patient Education Materials for Grade Level

ABSTRACT Patients are often given patient education documents to take home with them when they leave the hospital. It is important that these documents be at an appropriate grade level since some patients have low health literacy and may be unable to read the materials given to them. Evaluators can use readability tools to assess their patient education materials and make sure they are at a sixth- to eighth-grade reading level. The hospital librarian can play a large role in identifying the grade level of patient education materials.

Mapping the Changes to a Health Information Service

ABSTRACT This study used mapping software to assess the impact of changes made to a medical library’s outreach program, comparing the pattern of consumer and patient health information requests prior to and following the change. The study accomplished this by geocoding addresses of requests to the service from two time periods, importing these into Geographic Information Software, and then plotting the data on maps. Comparing the maps showed increased request density from specific geographic areas, an expanded geographic footprint from 20 to 38 counties, and evidence that outreach strategies pursued by the medical library increased patient and community engagement.

Consumer Health Web Sites in Asian and Pacific Islander Languages

Finding reliable, up-to-date consumer health information written in Asian or Pacific Islander languages can be difficult for librarians, to say nothing of the difficulties experienced by speakers of these languages when they seek health information. A number of high-quality, reliable sources that provide consumer health information are available on the Internet at no cost. This article reviews several of these Asian language health sites that were selected based on their ease of use and the quality of health information provided. While there are many web sources that provide handouts and other materials for the Asian language speaker, nearly all require some knowledge of English to navigate to the needed content. Thus, the Asian language speaker with low English literacy will need the aid of a librarian, health care professional, or family member to make the best use of these materials.

Assessing the Print Communication and Technology Attributes of an Academic Medical Center

Background: Historically, health literacy has been viewed as the patients problem; however, it is now accepted that the responsibility for improving health literacy lies with the health care professionals and systems. An Institute of Medicine report outlines the health literacy attributes, such as printed patient education and technology, which both play a role in patient decision-making and engaging them in their health care. Research suggests that patients who are engaged in their health care have improved health outcomes. For health care organizations to accommodate the needs of all patients, it is imperative that they determine the current organizational state and discover opportunities for improvement. Methods: The Health Literacy Environment of Hospitals and Health Centers (HLEHHC) Print Communication Rating and Technology Rating Tool were used to measure the internal aspects of organizational health literacy at The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC). Included in the print assessment were the 150 most distributed patient education handouts. Researchers also used the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool to assess print material. Technology was assessed using UTMCs website as the authoritative source. Key Results: The HLEHHC was useful for assessing print material and technology. Reviewing and reporting the data question-by-question revealed more granular, actionable information on where there are opportunities to improve the health care environment for all patients. This analysis resulted in proposing actions based on best practices that UTMC could implement in the coming year. The process is replicable in other settings. Implications: Responsibility for improving informed medical decision-making lies with health care organizations. Low health literacy influences the effectiveness of print patient education and technology in informing patients about their health. Assessing these aspects of the health care organization as part of quality improvement provides necessary data for improvements. The Health Literacy Environment of Hospital and Health Centers was a useful tool to measure characteristics of print and technology. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2018;2(1):e26–e34.] Plain Language Summary: A task force at an academic medical center assessed the health literacy attributes of their organization. Researchers assessed print patient education and patient-related technology. The researchers found areas for improvements to make health information easier to understand.

Collaboration, Visibility, and Relationship Marketing: Driving Use and Demonstrating Value of a Consumer Health Information Service

ABSTRACT Preston Medical Library/Health Information Center partnered with the University of Tennessee Medical Center Marketing and an outside marketing firm to better promote patient and community engagement in health information. An internal and external marketing plan was developed to promote the library through the development of brochures, table tents, room signage, television appearances and other various marketing strategies. Working with both marketing teams has created a unique opportunity to broaden internal promotion of the library. In addition, the relationship developed between the library and the marketing teams has expanded the library’s presence in the community and created an increase in community use.

The Impact of Library Resources and Services on the Scholarly Activity of Medical Faculty and Residents

ABSTRACT Librarians at an academic medical center library gathered data to determine if library services and resources impacted scholarly activity. A survey was developed and sent out to faculty and residents asking how they used the library during scholarly activity. Sixty-five faculty members and residents responded to the survey. The majority of respondents involved with scholarly activity use the library’s services and resources. PubMed is the most frequently used database. The positive results show the library impacts the scholarly activity of medical faculty and residents.

Health Information Without Limits: A Print Collection for Consumers in the Heart of the Hospital

ABSTRACT The Health Information Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center developed a consumer level print collection for patients, family members, and community visitors. Librarians utilized MLA Collection Development and Consumer and Patient Health Information Sections lists, vendor and consumer recommended lists, and Library Journal and other review sources. With input from key administrators for the six Centers of Excellence at the Medical Center, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, 200 titles were selected and reviewed for appropriateness. The print collection is used in-house and regularly checked out by patients, family members, and the hospital community.

Medical Device Recalls Database: A Review

The Medical Device Recalls database from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides consumers, researchers, and medical professionals with information on the latest recalls of medical devices. Free and easy to use, this database provides thorough and plentiful information on medical device recalls. This article will discuss the ease of searching in the database as well as the major features.

Moderated Social Media Support Groups for Patients

An increasing number of Internet users look to social media websites for support and encouragement when faced with a health situation. With numerous social media websites available, finding reliable social media-driven support groups to recommend can pose difficulty to librarians and patrons. This article reviews several moderated online social media support groups that can potentially help consumers seeking support. Since there are many groups for many different diseases, criteria were established before selecting them. This list aids librarians in their quest of finding these resources for consumers and will also provide consumers with satisfactory online social media support groups.