To ER is human

[Michael]

[web:7e24f4ee8a]http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/36182[/web:7e24f4ee8a]

[Just Plain Ruff]

I work on a major health IT systems computer program and put it in ER's around the country.

The discharge instructions are written on a 5th grade education level.

There are countless times that patients complain that they didn't understand the instructions.

I have also worked in a ER and even reading these instructions to the patients and sometimes making the not so bright ones repeat what I told them, these patients and caretakers still do not remember or understnad what I told them.

Remember, you can't fix stupid. But it is incumbent upon the ER staff or physician office staff members to make sure that patients understand their instructions. It sure as hell isn't going to be the patients out there who will take responsibility for their medical care. That's what ER's are for.