Patient Education at Dismissal After Surgical Procedure

The investigators seek to address the specific educational needs of patients and caregivers
with low-literacy, dyslexia and related learning disabilities in the context of properly
performing wound care for patients with surgical wounds. Specific aims include both improving
care by decreasing wound complications and improving patient satisfaction by using techniques
designed for this population. Objectives include utilizing surveys to determine the incidence
of dyslexia among the patients' and caregivers' within the general surgery service as well as
the perception of our current educational offerings, to design a new dismissal package with
enhanced educational offerings, to re-measure this effect on the patient experience with
survey data, and to compare wound infection rates before and after implementing the new
curriculum. Dyslexia and associated learning disabilities are common and likely impact the
health literacy among this population due to the ubiquitous literacy-based documentation of
hospital course and dismissal instructions. Adults with dyslexia may be reluctant to disclose
any inability to understand written instructions. There is currently no mechanism within the
dismissal system to specifically identify and address the unique needs of this population.
The impact on clinical outcomes of proper wound packing is substantial, and if performed
incorrectly can lead to slow wound healing and infections that often require readmission,
multiple courses of antibiotics, and reoperation. In severe cases, improper wound care can
lead to severe infection, sepsis, and death. By enhancing the educational offerings of proper
wound care to this population, the investigators hope to reduce these complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Adult patients on the general surgery service with open wounds requiring packing

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with wound vacs

- Patients receiving exclusively professional wound care or home health services