NEWS BRIEFS

Simple formula for readability

The SMOG reading formula is a popular method for evaluating the reading level of materials given to patients. Following are the assessment steps:

• Count off 10 consecutive sentences near the beginning, in the middle, and near the end of the text. If the text has fewer than 30 sentences, use as many as are provided.

• Count the number of words containing three or more syllables.

• Evaluate the grade level by using the SMOG conversion table below.

Total Polysyllabic Level	Approximate Grade
Word Count	Grade Level
0-2	4
3-6	5
7-12	6
13-20	7
21-30	8
31-42	9
43-55	10
56-72	11
73-90	12
91-110	13
111-132	14
133-156	15
157-182	16
183-210	17
211-240	18

Book shows how to use life as classroom

A book with practical ways to incorporate teaching into daily practice was recently released by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. No Time To Teach! A Nurse’s Guide to Patient and Family Education was written by Fran London, RN, MS, health education specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The cost is $29.95 plus $4.50 shipping and handling. Contact Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, P.O. Box 1600, Hagerstown, MD 21741-1600. Telephone: (800) 638-3030.