The evolution of a hospital library patient education literature program

Abstract

The library staff of the Englewood Hospital Medical Library has developed a patient education literature program to meet the needs of patients and the public for health information. A subcommittee on patient education of the Medical Library Committee oversees the project. Lists of health resources, by subject, have been compiled and are available on nursing stations and in patient waiting areas. Materials are delivered by doctors, nurse clinicians or librarians (at a doctor's request) and documented in the nurse's notes. Community members are also encouraged to come into the library by appointment to seek answers to their health questions.