Health literacy scores reported by patients are related to readmissions after surgery

Healthcare is impacted by health literacy. We predicted that patients with low HL would experience higher postoperative readmission rates.

METHODS: In the Veterans Affairs System, we conducted a prospective, multi-institutional study between August 2015 and June 2017 that included veterans who underwent general, vascular, or thoracic surgery. The Brief Health Literacy Screener was used to evaluate HL and categorise it as adequate or inadequate. Following discharge, patients were monitored for 30 days. Correlations and logistic regression models with covariate adjustments were evaluated in multivariable analysis.

RESULTS: The study included 736 patients, and 98% of them completed the HL survey. 33.2% of patients had low HL at discharge. 16.3% was the overall 30-day readmission rate, with HL making a big impact. After controlling for clinical and demographic factors, readmission rates for patients with low HL increased by 59%.

CONCLUSION: Patients who have undergone VA surgery frequently have low HL, which is linked to readmission. Interventions aimed at this patient population should be the main topic of future studies.