How to Write A Basic How to Write A Basic StandardStandard

Janice Wachtler, BA, CBA

Executive Director, ACOEP

Why Do You Need a Why Do You Need a Standard?Standard?

To ensure consistency in the educational and evaluation processes.

Why Do You Need a Basic Why Do You Need a Basic Standard?Standard?

To ensure that trainees and trainers

know the expectations of a program and what outcomes should be.

What Should Be Included in a What Should Be Included in a Standard?Standard?

Measurable expectationsCurrent techniquesCorrect terminologyNational requirements

How Do You Begin to Write A How Do You Begin to Write A Standard?Standard?

For a new standard - conduct a needs assessment to determine if a change is warranted or justified.

How Do You Begin to Write A How Do You Begin to Write A Standard?Standard?

Determine if a similar standard exists

Don’t recreate the wheel

Make it pertinent to your specialty

How Do You Begin to Write A How Do You Begin to Write A Standard?Standard?

For an Existing Standard –determine how the standard is applied and if it needs to be changed

How Can You Determine If the How Can You Determine If the Standard Is Good?Standard Is Good?

Does it make sense?

Use peers and potential users of the standard to review for syntax

Don’t be offended by questions

How Can You Determine If the How Can You Determine If the Standard Is Good?Standard Is Good?

Select a group of users to review the standard and give feedback

Is it too broad or too focused to be easily enforced?

How Can You Determine If the How Can You Determine If the Standard Is Good?Standard Is Good?

Send it onto the approval body within your specialty group for a preliminary review.

When Do Standards Go Into When Do Standards Go Into Effect?Effect?

One training year after AOA approval

When Do Standards Go Into When Do Standards Go Into Effect?Effect?

Remember to keep users of

standard informed as it progresses through approval process.

When Do Standards Go Into When Do Standards Go Into Effect?Effect?

Programs should not be inspected utilizing new standard until it is effect.

Assessing the StandardAssessing the Standard

Ask users to produce written implementation plan to evaluate how the standard is being incorporated into the training program.