One of the proposed OASIS-E data items for next year is B1300-Health Literacy. This new item asks how often the patient needs to someone help them to read instructions, pamphlets, or other written material from their doctor or pharmacy. Possible answers range from “never” to “always” and includes options for the patient not being able…
One of the proposed OASIS-E data items for next year is B1300-Health Literacy. This new item asks how often the patient needs to someone help them to read instructions, pamphlets, or other written material from their doctor or pharmacy. Possible answers range from “never” to “always” and includes options for the patient not being able or refusing to answer. The OASIS Guidance Manual explains the rationale for the item is to determine if health literacy issues are interfering with the communication between provider and patient and determine the patient’s ability to understand and follow treatment plans, including medication management. The manual states “poor health literacy is linked to lower levels of knowledge of health, worse outcomes, and the receipt of fewer preventive services, higher medical costs and rates of emergency department use”. Home health agencies who provide care for patients with poor health literacy will need to develop strategies to mitigate this barrier. Changes in the approach to care of these patients can improve patient care outcomes and value-based purchasing scores. Get ready. Implementation of the OASIS-E will be here before you know it!
