Improve Health Literacy Environment

Health services can be complex and confusing.

A health literate organisation is one that makes their health services and the information they provide easier to access, understand and act on.

That is, they improve the health literacy environment of their services. This has a huge impact on the health literacy of consumers using their services.

Want to improve the health literacy environment of your health services?

Follow this guide to embedding health literacy into your organisation or read on to find out more.

On this page:

Resources for my service

Activities to do with your team

Health literacy is determined by personal skills and the context in which those skills are applied.

Personal skills
and abilities

Situational demands
and complexity

Health
Literacy

Our aim is to make our health services less demanding and complex.

Northern NSW Local Health District and Healthy North Coast are committed to improving the health literacy environment of the services across the NSW North Coast region.

JargonPlain Language
Pre-opBefore surgery
ECGElectrical picture of your heart
PRNWhen needed
SupineOn back
Discharge planningMaking a plan to get out of hospital
FastDo not eat during this time
SatsOxygen in blood
RestorationFilling
FractureBreak
PathologySomething is not working right
Verbal comprehensionUnderstanding what other people are saying
FebrileHigh temperature
IVFDrip
GaitWalking pattern
BilateralBoth sides
AbstainDon’t do
UF goalHow much fluid we want to take off
Primary health assessmentHealth check with GP
ProphylacticTo prevent
QID4 times a day
PivotChanging from an old strategy
AF(atrial fibrillation) Heart flutter/irregular heart rate
Nil by mouthNothing to eat or drink
Upper limbsArms
ScreeningChecking/testing
DyspnoeaShortness of breath
AnalgesiaPain relief

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