For their study, researchers analyzed 477 ED audiotapes with recordings of patient-emergency provider communication. These tapes were used to determine the quality of explanation of illness, expected course, self-care, medication instructions, symptoms prompting a return to the ED, follow-up instructions, opportunities for questions and patient confirmation for understanding.
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Their analysis showed although 91 percent of discharges included some opportunity for questions, these opportunities were minimal. Further, only 22 percent of providers confirmed that the patient understood their discharge instructions.
Read the study about post-discharge instructions.
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