How to document patient education effectively.

Abstract

While policies, procedures, and teaching sheets help establish the credibility of your patient education program to the Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, they don't go far enough. To prove you really do provide effective patient education, you must document your efforts. The first step is to formulate an interdisciplinary documentation form according to Joint Commission standards. To make sure the form is used, provide adequate training for staff in all disciplines, and include documentation of patient education as part of each employee's performance appraisal.