Health Literacy – A Universal Precautions Approach

Posted by Patricia Devine on October 16th, 2017 Posted in: Health Literacy, Health Observances

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Part 3 of our Health Literacy Month series —

Universal Precautions is a concept in medicine aimed at preventing the transmission of bloodborne infections. The idea is to assume infection could be present and take the needed precautions at all times. These steps are incorporated into the objectives of a program and made a part of training and implementation of policies designed to prevent the inadvertent transmission of infection.

Likewise, health literacy can be approached from a universal precautions standpoint. Experts recommend assuming that everyone may have difficulty understanding medical information and instructions from their healthcare provider. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends a Universal Precautions approach:

Health literacy universal precautions are the steps that practices take when they assume that all patients may have difficulty comprehending health information and accessing health services. Health literacy universal precautions are aimed at —

• Simplifying communication with and confirming comprehension for all patients, so that the risk of miscommunication is minimized.
• Making the office environment and health care system easier to navigate.
• Supporting patients’ efforts to improve their health.

Low health literacy can result in medication errors, hospital readmissions, lack of preventive care, increased us of emergency rooms, and poorer health outcome overall. Clear communication is the responsibility of the healthcare system, including organizations and individual clinicians. The AHRQ provides a free Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit to help primary care providers increase patient understanding of health information.

The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus can also assist with educating patients and families and enhancing communication with healthcare providers. The site is available in English and Spanish and provides up to date information designed for the lay person to understand.