Access to Information and Patient Education
The health care industry is in the midst of major information systems transformation. The veil of secrecy has been removed, and today we are inundated with health related information on radio and TV commercials, in the newspaper, and in the popular magazines. Yet, despite this information deluge, in any hospitals, information remains guarded and parsed out on as ―as needed‖ basis, though who and what defines the need is often based on providers‘ comfort with sharing the information rather than patients‘ interest in hearing it. In patient-centered hospitals, the exchange of information is a key component of the health care experience. Through customized information packets, community health libraries, open chart policies, bedside exchanges of information, and the like, patients and families are encouraged to become informed, active participants in their care. These hospitals further recognize the immense value of the information that patients can offer providers. By acknowledging the very specialized expertise that patients possess over their own bodies and health care needs, many of the practices described in this section promote partnership and information sharing toward a mutual goal of optimal health outcomes.