The Basics

This standard requires the organization to provide its participating patients with appropriate educational materials. Those materials need to

• fit the target population,
• be available in various formats (e.g., hard copy, online, mass communication), 
• be appropriately designed to account for variations in patient demographics, disease states, location, cultural background, and diversity in language skills,
• be relevant throughout each patient's time that he/she is participating in the program.

The organization must fully document the use of these materials, and must review no less frequently than annually the materials, making changes in the materials where appropriate and necessary.

Management Tips

Be sure that your educational materials policy addresses all the elements outlined in the standard, and contemplates the customization of materials to the particular needs of the target patient population. 

Accreditation Tips

Desktop Review

Submit a policy or similar document that describes how the organization manages and distributes educational materials to participating patients. This can include screen shots of web based materials, if you use that. You policy must explicitly require the annual review and updating of communications and educational materials, as needed. 

Also, submit documentation of the implementation of the annual review requirement. This could come in the form of committee meeting minutes or other written official evidence of such review. If this is the organization's first time submitting, submit evidence of the first such review and approval.