How to Prevent Hospital Readmissions

Medication instruction must be presented in such a way that the patient understands what each medication is, when it is to be taken, how the medication is to be taken (i.e., with or without food) and, most importantly, why it is taken. Bedside nursing staff is more aware of the patient’s ability to comprehend instructions and can provide insight as to how to deliver the information that is consistent with the patient’s ability to comprehend the material. For these reasons, it is essential that the nurse advisor take into account any barriers to the ability to comprehend the instructions for medication compliance.