Clear guidance for health professionals and consumers

Our solution

Biotext has worked with the Commission since they were established in 2006, using our expert health content services to improve the Commission’s communication and resources. We work with them to ensure their information and publications are clear, consistent and engaging.

For each project, we first explore the key aims and audiences for the product, and then work with the Commission to ensure the product meets those aims and audience needs. We develop clear information hierarchy to aid the flow of text, as well as developing designs that support understanding and meet Commission visual style guidelines. We provide technical writing, substantive editing, copyediting, design and proofreading for key practitioner guidance, and translate complex health information into clear guides for patients and families.

Key projects include:

• National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
  The NSQHS Standards aim to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health service provision. The 8 standards provide a nationally consistent statement about the level of care consumers can expect from health services. Biotext worked with the Commission to develop the content and design needed for the second edition of the standards to be clearly understood and easily applied. We edited and designed the publication to present clear, practical guidance to help health service organisations meet the requirements for accreditation. We also developed a suite of implementation guides for various health service settings. We have continued to work with the Commission to further develop the standards and supporting materials, providing structural advice, editing and design services.
• Clinical care standards
  The Commission publishes clinical care standards (CCSs) to improve health care for Australians. Biotext provided expert consultancy to establish a uniform structure for all CCSs, to aid clarity and user understanding. We also deliver substantive editing; copyediting before and after public consultation; and proofreading before and after design. We have provided expert consultancy and editing for a wide range of CCS topics, including aged care, sepsis, stillbirth, anaphylaxis, delirium, venous thromboembolism, cataracts, antimicrobial stewardship, heavy menstrual bleeding, psychotropic medicines in cognitive disability or impairment, acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, peripheral intravenous catheters, and opioid analgesic stewardship in acute pain. We have also worked on various reviews that inform CCSs. For example, An evaluation report for the Antimicrobial Stewardship, Delirium and Hip Fracture Care Clinical Care Standards was a 100-page technical document that Biotext distilled into a 30-page plain-English report covering the major findings.