1. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.1

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3. 3 Written Communication Vital to health care delivery Many kinds of documents Ability to write clearly and correctly is a mark of professionalism Provide important links between workers and facilities

4. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4 Components of Good Writing Logical organization Attention to detail Correct spelling, grammar, and format Must be complete and accurate Organizing content

5. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.5 Preparing to Write Determine purpose Generate ideas for content Consider your audience Organize content

6. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.6 Starting to Write Create a formal outline Create an informal outline Draw a diagram

7. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7 Spell Your Way to Success General English dictionary Medical dictionaries Word books for health care specialties Online dictionaries Spell-checkers Pharmaceutical reference guides

8. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.8 Spelling Tips Learn major spelling rules Memorize words that are look-alikes Review tricky words regularly Set weekly goals

9. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.9 Grammar at a Glance Capitalization Punctuation Writing numbers correctly Writing titles correctly

10. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.10 Business Letters Types of business letters Using form letters Writing effective letters

11. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.11 Business Letter Formats Full block Block Modified block Preparing letters for mailing

12. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.12 Memos To share information within an organization Write clearly and concisely Easy to understand Must have value to recipient Avoid excess memos

13. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.13 Meeting Agendas Describe reason for meeting Date and location Start and end times Topics to be discussed What attendees should bring, if applicable Guest speaker(s), if applicable

14. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.14 Minutes of Meetings Documentation of meetings Inform those who did not attend Create a record of facility transactions Serve as a guide for next meeting agenda Provide resource for future reference Items commonly included

15. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.15 Patient Education Materials Important part of effective patient education Examples of types of materials How to prepare Things to consider

16. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.16 Confidentiality of Written Materials Inaccessible to unauthorized individuals Respect confidentiality at all times Any document with the patient’s name on it is confidential

17. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.17 Proofreading Written Work All written work should be proofread Verify content Check organization Read aloud Check spelling by reading backwards Use spell- and grammar-checkers

18. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.18 Proofreading Print out documents –Don’t proofread on computer screen If unsure, check with qualified person Have written work checked as required by your facility