Health Library

Our commitment

StayWell’s commitment is to provide clients and their end users with accurate, timely,
and understandable information. We focus on diseases, conditions, tests, and procedures.
Our goal is to promote understanding and management of health conditions and wellness.
StayWell is dedicated to developing health communication solutions that are evidence-based,
easy to understand and behavioral-change focused.

Health content is developed using clinicians whose expertise falls in the content
area under development. Our goal is to develop content consistent with evidence-based
medicine and nationally accepted guidelines and standards of practice. StayWell research
methods, include, but are not limited to, reviewing journal articles, practice guidelines,
and subscription databases; consulting with medical experts; and attending health
care association meetings and conferences with both practitioners and end-users of
our products.

Health content

Health content that focuses on diseases, conditions, tests, treatments, and procedures
has two medical reviews. The medical review occurs every 24 months from the article’s
last review date, which is documented in StayWell Unified Content Repository (UCR).
Certain diseases and conditions that have ongoing medical research and frequent updates
to treatment guidelines are medically reviewed more often than every 24 months. This
type of content is URAC-accredited and cannot be edited by the website receiving the
licensed health content. Please note: Content can be hosted by StayWell servers, hosted on the client’s servers, or delivered
via Web services or manual syndication. Revision of licensed health content is permitted
with a specific administrative tool obtained by clients to meet their needs, but if
revision to licensed health content occurs, the content will not be considered URAC-accredited.

One medical review by a medical or clinical expert will occur in the specialty area(s)
– of nutrition, wellness, and health promotion – and with specialized content that focuses on nonclinical or less clinically specific
information about a specific disease, condition, test, medical treatment, or procedure.
The Digital Content Team sets the medical review schedule, based on the health topics
or conditions under review. Our Quality Oversight Committee receives a quarterly report on the medical review process of clinical content from
the director of digital content, as well as clinical updates made to accommodate new
medical practices and knowledge.

Self-management or interactive tools, such as calculators, condition-related risk
assessments, and quizzes relating to specific health topics — smoking, weight loss, exercise, immunizations and screenings, pregnancy, stress, depression,
and substance and alcohol use — are considered health content. This is also true of our multimedia content. StayWell’s
animations and interactive tools are medically accurate in content, visual representations,
and data interaction. Standards and requirements that direct the creation of health
content also guide the development process in multimedia content and self-management
tools.

Throughout the process of the creation of multimedia content and self-management/interactive
tools, there are several different script/content reviews by the Digital Clinical
Team. In production, the clinical staff reviews many visual beta versions of any product
developed by the graphic artists, animators, and programmers. With each step of the
process, the Digital Clinical Team has multiple opportunities to ensure medical accuracy
of the final product. All interactive multimedia content undergoes user testing by
the staff and other consumer users.

Great importance is placed on visuals. Our award-winning art is used to:

• Bridge learning barriers – Visuals speak across languages and literacy levels;

• Convey key messages – Images reinforce key content; and

• Tie content and audience together – Offer real-life examples and solutions.

Content development and medical review process

StayWell content is developed for a range of reading levels, from sixth to 12th grades.
Reading level is measured with a commonly used readability scale/test called Flesch-Kincaid.
Going beyond readability, StayWell also focus on health literacy. Doak, Doak & Root
Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) methodology, which considers the following
criteria: content, layout and typography, graphics, cultural appropriateness, learning
stimulation motivation, and literacy demand, is used to develop our content. Multimedia
content facilitates a low-literacy reading level with medical illustrations and a
diverse selection of multimedia products.

The medical review process for health content is conducted through an Editing and
Recording Information System (ERIS). ERIS is a proprietary web-based application that
allows for electronic content review and tracking. It also serves as a mechanism to
track and save revisions, updates, or edits made to health content, as well as the
date, author, health content reviewers, and editors. The steps for health content
review are as follows:

• New health content is sourced by the author(s). Our writers use only evidence-based
  information.

• All health content is sourced and dated when edited or updated.

• Two (primary, secondary) medical reviews are performed on health content. At least
  one of the medical reviewers is an expert or specialist in the area pertaining to
  the disease, condition or topic under review.

• All reviewers consist of medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine, advanced
  practice nurses, or physician assistants.

• Health content, including interactive or self-management tools and multimedia content,
  is reviewed every 24 months from the article’s last review date documented in StayWell’s
  UCR.  Diseases and conditions that have ongoing medical research and frequent updates
  to treatment guidelines may be medically reviewed more often than every 24 months.

• Content is updated immediately when significant new medical knowledge or change(s)
  in medical guidelines occur, and when content errors (not spelling or grammar) are
  identified.

• StayWell content – whether existing and being updated or new – is intelligently indexed
  and mapped to MeSH concepts as a common keyword scheme. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)
  is an industry-standard vocabulary maintained by the National Library of Medicine.

For additional information on our editorial processes, please review our Editorial Policy.

Medical reviewers and content developers

StayWell employs a highly skilled team of medical authors, editors, and reviewers.
Most reviewers are independent contractors and each advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN), physician assistant, or physician has numerous years of professional experience.
In addition, each medical writer has many years of experience in writing patient education
materials for hospitals, health systems, private organizations, and professional organizations.

StayWell medical reviewers – licensed clinically-experienced health care providers
– are charged to assure that the content is evidence-based and that recommendations
made on a particular topic are consistent across all content on that topic. To ensure
accurate and accessible content, StayWell has an in-house team of:

• Clinicians with advanced degrees

• Project manager

• Medical writers

• Certified medical illustrators

• Medical editors

For background information on our medical reviewers, authors and editors, please review
Medical Reviewers for StayWell and Our Editors and Authors.

Practice guidelines we follow

In developing, reviewing, and updating health content, StayWell incorporates the current
standards of care and practice guidelines of organizations not limited those listed
below:

Asthma (includes Allergy):

• American Lung Association

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

• American Lung Foundation

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Bariatric:

• American Medical Association

• American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

Cardiology:

• American Heart Association

• American College of Cardiology

• Department of Health and Human Services

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• American Thoracic Society

• Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Dental:

• American Dental Association

• American Academy of Periodontology

• American Society of Reproductive Medicine

• American Association of Orthodontists

• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

• American Academy of General Dentistry

• American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 

• American Association of Endodontists

• American College of Prosthodontics

Dermatology:

• American Academy of Dermatology

Diabetes:                                                                         

• American Diabetes Association

• American Podiatric Medical Association

• International Diabetes Center

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Endocrinology:

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

• American Association of Endocrine Surgeons

Eye Care:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology

• American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

• American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

• American Optometric Association

• Eye Surgery Education Council

Gastroenterology:

• American College of Gastroenterology

• American Cancer Society

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

• American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons

• Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons

Hematology:

• American Society of Hematology

• American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Neurology:

• American Academy of Neurology

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons

• American Stroke Association

OB/GYN:

• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists

• American Academy of Family Physicians

• National Institutes of Health

• American Society of Reproductive Medicine

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

• American Society of Reproductive Medicine

• Society of Reproductive Surgeons

• North American Menopause Society

Oncology:

• American Cancer Society

• American Society of Clinical Oncology

• National Cancer institute

• National Cervical Cancer Coalition

• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• American Institute for Cancer Research

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network

• American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons

Orthopedics:

• American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• American College of Sports Medicine

• National Association for Sport and Physical Education

• North American Spine Society

Otolaryngology (includes Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery):

• American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

• American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology

• American Rhinologic Society

• American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.(a.k.a. Triological
  Society, Inc.)

• American Head and Neck Society

• American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy

• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Pain Medicine:

• American Pain Society

• American Academy of Pain Medicine

• American Society of Anesthesiologists

• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Association of Academic Physiatrists

Pediatrics:

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• American Medical Association

Public Health (includes Infectious Disease):

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• American Social Health Association

• Department of Health and Human Services

• Food and Drug Administration

• US Preventive Services Task Force

• Infectious Diseases Society of America

• National Institutes of Health

• US Environmental Protection Agency

Pulmonary:                                                                                        

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

• American Lung Foundation

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

• American College of Chest Physicians

• American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• US Environmental Protection Agency

Surgery, General

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

• American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

Urology:

• American Urological Association

Vascular:

• Society for Vascular Surgery

Sources we use

Sources and publications include, but are not limited to:

Allergies:

• Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America

• Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology

• Middleton Allergy: Principles and Practice

Alternative Medicine:

• Integrative Medicine

• Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

Bariatrics:

• Obesity Research & Clinical Practice

Cardiology:

• American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

• American College of Cardiology

• American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Heart Failure Society of America

• Heart Rhythm Society

• Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

• Society of Thoracic Surgeons

• American Association for Thoracic Surgery

• American Society of Hypertension

• Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals

• American Heart Journal

• Braunwald’s Heart Disease – A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine

• Cardiology Clinics

• Circulation (AHA Journals)

• Clinical Electrocardiography: A Simplified Approach

• Heart, Lung, and Circulation

• Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography

• Journal Watch for Cardiology

• Nadas’ Pediatric Cardiology

• Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners

• Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing

• American Journal of Cardiology

Complementary Medicine:

• Integrative Medicine

• Textbook of Natural Medicine

Dentistry:

• American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

• Journal of the American Dental Association

Dermatology:

• Clinical Dermatology, 5th Edition

• Dermatologic Clinics

• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Developments in Medicine:

• CDC – HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report

• Healthcare Informatics

• Internet Medicine

• JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association

• Medical Clinics of North America

• New England Journal of Medicine

• The Nation’s Health

• Postgraduate Medicine

Diabetes:

• American Diabetes Association

• American Podiatric Medical Association

• International Diabetes Center

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• American Association of Diabetes Educators

• Endocrine Society

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

• National Kidney Foundation

• The Diabetes Educator

• ADA: Diabetes Forecast – The Healthy Living Magazine

• Diabetes Self-Management

Emergency Medicine:

• Annals of Emergency Medicine

• American Journal of Emergency Medicine

• Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine

• Clinical Toxicology

• Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America

• Rosen’s Emergency Medicine

• Wilderness Medicine

• Haddad and Winchester’s Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose

Endocrinology:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America

• Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

• The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

• Williams Textbook of Endocrinology

Eye Care:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology

• American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

• Eye Surgery Education Council

• American Academy of Optometry

Family Practice:

• American Family Physician

• Annals of Family Medicine

• Disease-a-Month

• Family Practice Management

• Physicians’ Desk Reference

• Rakel’s Textbook of Family Practice

• Textbook of Family Practice

• Ferri’s Clinical Advisor

Gastroenterology:

• American College of Gastroenterology

• American Cancer Society

• American Journal of Gastroenterology

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

• American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons

• Clinics in Liver Disease

• Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

• Gastroenterology Clinics of North America

• Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease

General Health and Wellness:

• Canadian Medical Association Journal

• The Nation’s Health

Geriatrics:

• Clinics in Geriatric Medicine

• Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

• Practice of Geriatrics

Health Statistics:

• American Journal of Public Health

• The Nation’s Health

• Statistical Abstract of the United States

• U.S. Government Manual

Hematology:

• Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice

Hospice and Palliative Care:

• Palliative Medicine

Infectious Diseases:

• Infectious Disease Clinics of North America

• Infectious Diseases Society of America

• Lancet Infectious Diseases

• Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases

• Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Internal Medicine:

• Annals of Internal Medicine

• American Journal of Medicine

• Cecil Textbook of Medicine

• Clinical Toxicology

• Chest

• Clinics in Chest Medicine

• Conn’s Current Therapy

• Current Clinical Medicine

• Disease-a-Month

• Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2013

• Goldman’s Cecil Medicine

• Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice

• Internal Medicine News

• Journal of Critical Care

• Osler Medical Handbook

• Postgraduate Medicine

• Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient

• Textbook of Respiratory Medicine

Laboratory Medicine:

• Clinical Laboratory News

• Clinical Chemistry

• American Association for Clinical Chemistry

• Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods

• Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures

• Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests

• Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests

Mental Health:

• National Institute of Mental Health

Nephrology:

• Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney

• Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

• American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Neurology:

• Bradley’s Neurology in Clinical Practice

• Lancet Neurology

• Neurologic Clinics

• Neurology

• Pediatric Neurology

• Textbook of Clinical Neurology

Nutrition:

• Food Insight

• Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• Journal of the American Dietetic Association

• Nutrition Action Health Letter

OB/GYN:

• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists

• American Academy of Family Physicians

• National Institutes of Health

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

• American Society of Reproductive Medicine

• North American Menopause Society

• American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Clinics in Perinatology

• Contemporary OB/GYN

• The Female Patient

• Gabbe’s – Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies

• Evidence-based Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America

Oncology:

• American Institute for Cancer Research Newsletter

• Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology

• Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America

• American Cancer Society

• National Cancer Institute

• Evidence-Based Oncology

• National Institutes of Health 

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

• Lancet Oncology

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Ophthalmology:

• American Journal of Ophthalmology

• Ophthalmology Management

• Ophthalmology Times

• Review of Ophthalmology

• Yanoff & Duker – Ophthalmology

Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery:

• American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• American Journal of Sports Medicine

• Arthritis Today

• Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics

• Clinics in Sports Medicine

• DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

• Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

• Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• National Association for Sport and Physical Education

• North American Spine Society

• National Osteoporosis Foundation

• Orthopaedic Nursing

• Orthopedics Today

• Scoliosis Research Society

• Browner – Skeletal Trauma

• Skeletal Trauma in Children

• Orthopedic Clinics of North America

• Physical Therapy Journal

• Podiatry Management

• Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America

• Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction

Otolaryngology:

• Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America

• Cummings Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Pathology:

• Robbins and Cotran Pathology Basis of Disease, Professional Edition

• Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods

Patient Education and Care:

• American Journal of Health Promotion

• American Journal of Managed Care

• Conn’s Current Therapy

• Critical Care Clinics

• Critical Care Medicine

• Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Ferri’s Clinical Advisor

• Hospitals and Health Networks

• Nursing Made Easy

• Ferri: Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient

• Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice

• Textbook of Primary Care Medicine

Pediatrics:

• Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine

• Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care

• Harriett Lane Handbook

• Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

• Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Journal of Pediatrics

• Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics

• Paediatric Respiratory Reviews

• Pediatric Neurology

• Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners

• Pediatric Clinics of North America

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

• Principles and Practices of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

• Skeletal Trauma in Children

Pharmacology:

• Advice for the Patient (USP DI: v.2 Advice for the Patient)

• Approved Drug Products and Legal Requirements (USP DI, v.3)

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:

• Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Public Health:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• American Social Health Association

• Evidence-Based Healthcare and Public Health

• Evidence-Based Healthcare: A Scientific Approach to Health Policy

• CDC – National Center for Health Statistics

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Psychiatry:

• Handbook of Medical Psychiatry

• General Hospital Psychiatry

• Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Psychiatric Clinics of North America

• Jacobson – Psychiatric Secrets

Pulmonary Medicine:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

• American Lung Association

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

• American College of Chest Physicians

• American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Paediatric Respiratory Reviews

• Heart, Lung, and Circulation

• Chest

• Murray and Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine

Radiology:

• Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology

• Radiologic Clinics of North America

• Essentials of Radiology

Rheumatology:

• Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology (Book /  MD Consult)

Safety:

• Family Safety & Health

• National Safety Council

• Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

• Occupational Safety & Health Administration

• National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health

• National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training

• U.S. Chemical Safety Board

• Safety + Health

Sports Medicine:

• American Journal of Sports Medicine

Surgery, General:

• American Society of Anesthesiology

• Anesthesiology Clinics

• American Journal of Surgery

• Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons

• General Surgery News

• Journal of the American College of Surgeons

• Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

• Khatri – Operative Surgery Manual

• Operative Techniques in General Surgery

• Outpatient Surgery Magazine

• Sabiston Textbook of Surgery

• Surgical Clinics of North America

Trends in Health:

• American Journal of Public Health

• Trends in Men’s Health

• Journal of Men’s Health

• Journal of Men’s Health and Gender

• Trends in Women’s Health

• Journal of Women’s Health

Urology:

• American Urological Association

• National Kidney Foundation

• American Journal of Kidney Diseases

• Brenner & Rector’s The Kidney

• Campbell-Walsh Urology

• Urology

• Urologic Clinics of North America

• Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

 

Approved by the Quality Oversight Committee, September 2014

Revised: February 2015