When writing for University Health audiences — staff members, physicians or the general public — be friendly and accessible. Use active voice and strong action verbs to hold the reader’s attention.

We encourage our writers to be concise. Short declarative sentences are better than complex ones. Many readers are skimming material, rather than reading long blocks of text, so tight writing is critical. Avoid using abbreviations, jargon and acronyms. University Health copy should be understandable to all.

Be authoritative. Cite your sources, hyperlink to research studies and quote our experts. As an academic medical center, we should be a trusted resource. Use simple language to explain complex concepts. Start with high-level concepts, and then dig deeper into context and research.

The acronym "UH" and "UHS" are not permitted. Use University Health on first reference; "University Health System” and “the Health System” are no longer appropriate references in correspondence or on business forms. (See University Health editorial style guide entry)

For more writing tips, please review our Editorial Style Guide below.

Editorial Style Guide

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A

acronyms Not preferred. The acronym UHS and UH are not permitted for external audiences. Spell out University Health on every reference.

ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD OK on subsequent reference.

Affordable Care Act Shorthand for the formal title of the health care overhaul that President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. Its full name is Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. ACA is OK on subsequent reference. "Obamacare" in quotation marks is acceptable but use sparingly.

B

Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers The Board of Managers is responsible for the overall governance of the Bexar County Hospital District dba University Health, as described under the provisions of Chapter 281 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and delegated by the Bexar County Commissioners Court.

board-certified physician Board is not capped.

Booster In medical terms, a booster dose is an extra administration of a vaccine after an earlier (primer) dose. It is different from a vaccine series, which has a set number of doses in a set amount of time.

bulleted lists Be consistent. Please use the same style in a two-page layout spread or on a webpage. For complete sentences, use periods. For phrases, use no periods. If the list is a mix of both, either rewrite so they have parallel construction or use no periods on all items.

C

CareforMom Program is a support program for women who give birth at University Health while on Medicaid. Bexar County residents who qualify for Pregnancy Medicaid or CHIP Perinate will automatically be enrolled through CareLink. This offers a continuum of care for the woman for the first 12 months after giving birth. 

CareLink is not insurance. CareLink is a “patient responsibility” model financial assistance program that was created 25 years ago to ensure that Bexar County residents without access to affordable health insurance could receive services through University Health.

Center for Clinical Excellence The clinical education program for nurses, techs and other clinical staff at University Health.

Center for Learning Excellence The talent development team that empowers employees’ professional growth through innovative learning and performance solutions.

Child Life A program with specialists who by center the emotional needs of children and families in every aspect of care—from environment to treatment plans—to help eliminate trauma and stress that leads to potential lifelong health implications. University Camp Kids is the program our Child Life team manages each summer for children who are hospitalized over the summer months.

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC is OK on subsequent reference.

chemotherapy “Chemo” is acceptable in headlines where there is a space constraint. Otherwise, spell out.

Clinicians An acceptable term to be inclusive of physicians, residents, fellows, advanced practice professionals and certified nurse practitioners.

Community First Health Plans The only locally owned and managed nonprofit health plan in the area, established in 1995 by University Health. Community First is also acceptable. Do not use the acronym CFHP.

Conditions HIPAA rules allow us to release a one-word patient condition to the public under strict guidelines. We follow the recommendations of the American Hospital Association and Texas Hospital Association in using only these conditions with the public:

• Undetermined: Patient awaiting a physician and assessment.
• Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
• Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
• Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.
• Critical: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
• Discharged: No dates or further information is provided.
• Deceased: No dates or further information is provided.
• The term "stable" is not a condition to use with the media or public, alone or in combination.

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. OK on subsequent reference.

Coronaviruses A family of viruses, some of which cause disease in people and animals, named for the crownlike spikes on their surfaces.

Coronaviruses can cause the common cold or more severe diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). A new coronavirus first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. It causes a respiratory illness now called COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

The virus itself is named SARS-CoV-2 but avoid using that name.

Referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about the current pandemic. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, the meaning is clear in this context. A year into the outbreak, do not use the terms new coronavirus or novel coronavirus unless needed to distinguish between viruses.

The term coronavirus is generally acceptable in references to the pandemic: coronavirus cases, coronavirus tests, coronavirus variants. Passages and stories focusing on the science of the disease require sharper distinctions.

COVID-19 AP says: The shortened form COVID is acceptable if necessary for space in headlines, and in direct quotations and proper names, such as the COVID-19 Task Force or the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 tracker. When referring specifically to the virus, “the COVID-19 virus” and “the virus that causes COVID-19” are acceptable, as is simply the coronavirus.

But, because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write “a virus called COVID-19.”

Crohn's disease

Cystic fibrosis: A common, progressive hereditary disease of exocrine gland function that typically appears in infancy or early childhood. It is marked by the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus in the ducts and passages of various organs and especially those of the lungs and pancreas.

D

DAISY award A recognition program. The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses (The DAISY Award) is sponsored by the DAISY Foundation to honor the work nurses do for patients and families every day. University Health honors nurses monthly. Patients can nominate nurses for the award.

dates We do not use -nd, -st, -rd on dates. Dates should be written as June 14. Superscripts are not permitted.

dengue fever Use the full name, lowercase, on first reference. Dengue OK on subsequent reference.

diseases Do not capitalize arthritis, emphysema, leukemia, pneumonia, etc. When a disease is known by the name of a person or geographical area identified with it, capitalize only the proper noun element: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Ebola virus, etc. Capitalize Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Avoid such expressions as: He is battling cancer. She is a stroke victim. Use neutral, precise descriptions: He has stomach cancer. She is a stroke patient.

doctor When referring to a physician on first reference, include their title, first and last name (e.g. Dr. Jane Doe); on second reference include their title and last name (e.g. Dr. Doe).

If the person is not a physician, we do not use Dr. before their name. You could add PhD or DNP after their name.

Domestic violence navigation line This phone number is used by law enforcement officers to best find support for victims of domestic violence. Do not call it a hotline.

double spaces We do not allow double spaces after periods, no matter what you were taught in middle or high school. Due to modern typography and computer layouts, double spaces are no longer necessary.

drug names Capitalize trademarks and proprietary names of drugs and brand names of manufactured products and equipment. Do not capitalize generic names or descriptive terms. Examples: The patient had swallowed 46 tablets of acetaminophen. The best-selling brand of acetaminophen is Tylenol.

Drug v medication v medicine Do not use drug. Medication and medicine can be used interchangeably.

drugmaker, drugmaking

E

Edward Banos president and CEO of University Health. Banos is pronounced BAY-nos.

EHR lowercase electronic health records. Spell out.

EMR lowercase electronic medical records. Spell out.

Epic Our new electronic health record; capitalize only the E.

EpiPen: EpiPen is a brand name. Unless you specifically mean that brand, use epinephrine auto-injector.

ExpressMed: Our walk-in care centers. Do not refer to these as urgent care centers. Preferred term is walk-in clinic.

F

FDA Food and Drug Administration. OK on first reference.

First come, first served

G

George B. Hernández Jr., former president and CEO of University Health, note diacritical mark.

H

Hashtag Use for events, sparingly.

Health care Two words unless in a proper name.

HIPAA Short for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

HealthFocus SA University Health’s blog that provides health-related information to its target audience, the South Texas region.

healthyUexpress Mobile mammography, children’s & primary care units.

HMO Short for health maintenance organization.

homepage No spaces, no capitals.

I

inpatient No hyphen, no space.

infoHUDDLE  The weekly information channel of talking points. HUDDLE is capitalized.

infoLINE  The weekly newsletter for the University Health team. LINE is capitalized.

infoLINE Ahead The short video sent on Mondays to promote the week’s infoLINE stories.

infoNET Our intranet for employees and physicians at University Health. NET is capitalized.

Institute for Trauma-Informed Care University Health established the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care in January of 2020. The Institute provides training, technical assistance and coaching opportunities to organizations that want to become certified in Trauma-Informed Care.

Institute for Public Health a division to better promote comprehensive population health initiatives that support health equity, acute care, preventive health care and public health emergency response.

intranet; internet Both lowercase, per Associated Press Style.

italics Associated Press style does not use italics. We allow italics in limited circumstances, such as book or magazine titles, or with the Latin names of disease or organisms, such as C. difficile.

L

Level I trauma center Lowercase t and c; Level I means we offer the highest level of surgical care for trauma patients.

lifesaving One word, either as a noun or an adjective.

listings of locations We use the following conventions:

• University Hospital, Rio Tower, D Elevator, Room 5.503b <Building, Tower, Elevator, Room>
• C Elevator <The cap on elevator depends on context. Use your best judgment.>
• Suite 142 (Spell out suite.)
• For invitations, use this style:

University Hospital

Foundation Room

For a list of our current locations, please visit UniversityHealth.com.

Locations For a list of our current clinical locations, please visit UniversityHealth.com. On first reference, always include University Health. On second reference, you can drop University Health. Do not abbreviate facility names.

Example:

First reference: University Health Medical Center Pavilion
Second reference: Medical Center Pavilion

First reference: University Health Texas Diabetes Institute
Second reference: Texas Diabetes Institute

First reference: University Health Kennedy
Second reference: Kennedy

First reference: University Health Southwest School-based Clinic
Second reference: Southwest School-based Clinic

Nonclinical locations:

• University Health Business Center 1, 5800 Farinon Drive
• University Health Business Center 2, 5959 Northwest Parkway
• University Health Tech Center, 8183 Pinebrook Drive
• University Health Resource Center, 4400 NW Loop 410, Suite 300
• University Health Corporate Square, 4801 Northwest Loop 410
• Community First, 2238 Silicon Drive, Suite 100
• University Health CareLink, Oaks II, 12451 Network Blvd, Suite 118, San Antonio, TX 78224

These campuses are still under construction, but should be referred to in the following ways:

University Health Palo Alto Campus includes:

• University Health Palo Alto Campus, 11102 S. Zarzamora St., San Antonio, TX 78224

First reference: University Health Palo Alto Campus
Second reference: Palo Alto Campus

• University Health Palo Alto Hospital, 11102 S. Zarzamora St., San Antonio, TX 78224

First reference: University Health Palo Alto Hospital
Second reference: Palo Alto Hospital

• University Health Palo Alto Medical Building, 11106 S. Zarzamora St., San Antonio, TX 78224

First reference: University Health Palo Alto Medical Building (depending on official name)
Second reference: Palo Alto Medical Building

• University Health Vida, primary and specialty care center and home to University Health Institute for Public Health, 1411 Jaguar Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78224

First reference: University Health Vida
Second reference: Vida

University Health Retama Campus includes:

• University Health Retama Campus, 16300 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX 78154

First reference: University Health Retama Campus
Second reference: Retama Campus

• University Health Retama Hospital, 16300 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX 78154

First reference: University Health Retama Hospital
Second reference: Retama Hospital

• University Health Retama Medical Office Building, 16282 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX 78154

First reference: University Health Retama Medical Offices (depending on official name)
Second reference: Retama Medical Offices

See entry on University Health Main Campus for more information.

log in (v); login (n)

M

Maternal-Fetal Medicine with hyphen. Only capitalize if we are referring to the University Health program. It is NOT capitalized if you are speaking in the general sense about maternal-fetal medicine. Do not abbreviate to MFM.

Medicaid A U.S. federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the needy, aged, blind and disabled, and for low-income families with children.

Medicare The U.S. federal healthcare insurance program for people aged 65 and older, and for the disabled. Eligibility is based mainly on eligibility for Social Security.

N

NIH National Institutes of Health. Spell out on first reference. Note the plural on institutes.

numbers In general, spell out one through nine; 10 and up uses numerals. Use numerals when it precedes a unit of measure (1 cup, 5 yards) or an age (8 years old). Also No. 1, No. 2, 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Do not use superscripts.

NurseLink NurseLink gives direct access to the nursing expertise of University Health. Our telephone triage system is available for our patients 24 hours a day. NurseLink is available to patients of University Medicine Associates (UMA) and any University Health-based clinic. NurseLink also serves as the after-hours call center for Community First members. 210-358-3000.

P

percent You can use the % symbol with numbers in text 87%, .14% However, if you are spelling out the number, you must spell out percent: Five percent of the four-month-old saplings didn't survive the cold snap.

Perinatal-Neonatal Only capitalize if we are referring to a University Health program. It is NOT capitalized if you are speaking in a general sense about perinatal-neonatal medicine. Do not abbreviate.

Peveto Center for Pastoral Care The Peveto Center for Pastoral Care is a quiet and welcoming space where people of all faiths and denominations can come for spiritual and emotional support. Located near the main lobby of University Hospital. Peveto Center on second reference. Pronounced Pee-veh-TOE.

phone numbers The San Antonio metro area now has two area codes. Please use the area code, 210-555-5555 or 726-555-555. No parenthesis around the area code, do not use periods between the numbers. DO NOT include personal direct phone lines or personal cell phone numbers in marketing copy.

Physician (See doctor)

PPO Short for preferred provider organization.

R

Regions If it is an accepted name, such as South Texas or Central Texas, we capitalize the reference.

Residents Remember that residents are doctors. Do not use residents and doctors. Use residents, fellows and attendings.

Residents’ Lounge Located in Rio Tower, 1st floor. Relaxation space for resident/graduate medical education team members.

S

SaludArte: Art of Healing Program established by University Health in 2010, with an appointed staff, community leaders and stakeholder committee, to integrate artwork as a healing component in our environments. SaludArte is acceptable on second reference.

San Antonio regional references In general, refer to locations within the city as East Side, West Side, South Side and North Side. The hospital is on the North Side near 1604. Use Northwest side, Northeast side, Southeast side. Exceptions: Defer to the preferred spelling of organizations and proper names: Northside Independent School District, Southside Independent School District, North East Independent School District, Eastside Neighborhood Association.

School-based Clinics Clinics embedded within our area school districts to offer primary care services to the nearby community. Note the use of the hyphen and lowercase b in School-based. See complete list of clinics on UniversityHealth.com.

T

Teaching hospital A teaching hospital, or academic medical center, is different from a community hospital. An academic medical center:

• Provides patients and the community with health care for everyday health needs, and the most specialized and advanced services for complex illnesses and injuries.
• Offers unique care not available anywhere else in the region.
• Teaches generations of health care professionals to assure your family’s health and well-being for years to come.
• Develops new and better ways to care for patients through outcomes-based research and the development of new technologies.

University Hospital, in partnership with UT Health San Antonio, is the premier teaching hospital for San Antonio and South Texas offering a higher level of coordinated care for routine medical care to the most complex diseases, disorders and injuries.

Team members This term is preferred to “staff members.” It emphasizes that University Health thinks with a “we” mindset. We collaborate and work together to complete our mission.

times We use Associated Press style. 10 a.m., 4 p.m. You must use lowercase and the periods. Please use noon and midnight rather than 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. for reader clarity. Example: 10 a.m.-noon; 10-11 a.m.; 4:30-5 p.m.

titles We use the following conventions:

• No periods in titles abbreviations: PhD, MA, RPH, MPH, MD, DO, PA, DPT, NP
• Titles that precede a name should be capitalized: Associate Hospital Administrator James Willis
• Titles after a name are lowercase: James Willis, associate hospital administrator
• Do not duplicate titles. Dr. Allan Parsons or Allan Parsons, MD NOT Dr. Allan Parsons MD.
• We discourage listing all titles of UT Health faculty: Keep the listings to the bare minimum, preferably the one that most connects to the University Health. If the choices are Distinguished Chair of Amazing Medicine or Department Head of Emergency Medicine, we would prefer the latter to the former.

For long lists of certifications added after a name, please ask the person to pick the most important one, especially for blogs, news stories and press releases.

Trademarks/Registration Marks In general, we do not use these notations: ™ or ®. A trademark is a brand, symbol, word, etc., used by a manufacturer or dealer and protected by law to prevent a competitor from using it: Band-Aid, an adhesive bandage, is an example of a trademarked name and its generic equivalent. Use a generic equivalent unless the trademark name is necessary (as in a direct quotation).

Translations We do not translate program, department, facilities, clinics or service line names in any marketing or communications collaterals. The only exception is on wayfinding, which is a case by case.

TRICARE Health care program for active-duty and retired members of the uniformed services, as well as their family and survivors.

Triple Aim plus Our guiding principles, which include:

Improving quality, safety and outcomes

Improving the patient experience

Improving efficiencies

Improving access to care

Tuberculosis Spell out on first reference. TB is acceptable on second reference.

U

UH Go The mobile app of University Health. You can use your phone to make appointments, pay bills and get information about the COVID-19 vaccine. This app is free and available on iPhones and Androids. Search "UH Go" in your app store.

University Children's Health Our child-friendly services for primary care to advanced specialized care.

University Health Formerly known as University Health System. "University Health System" and "the Health System" and "the System" are no longer appropriate references in correspondence or on business forms. Please use University Health in all references. The use of "health system" or "system" is not permitted, regardless of upper or lower case. Instead use: organization, repeat University Health, "our".

See entry on locations for first and second reference naming conventions

University Health Fitness Center at Texas Diabetes Institute Free and open to all patients with a provider referral. On first reference use the full name and on second reference use Fitness Center.

University Health Main Campus Our campus at 4502 Medical Drive is known as University Health Main Campus, not University Hospital Campus. Both hospitals are on the main campus. We can say that the new Women’s & Children’s Hospital is located next to University Hospital. 

University Health Surgery Center - Morgan's MAC Located within Morgan's Multi-Assistance Center. Use hyphen (-) between Center and Morgan's. Do not use en dash (–) or em dash (—).

University Health Transplant Institute The expert, multidisciplinary transplant team is nationally recognized as leaders in the field.

University Health Women's & Children's Hospital Note the use of the ampersand.

Named locations within the Women’s & Children’s Hospital include:

• H-E-B Grand Staircase
• Valero Atrium
• Hope Hits Harder Cancer Foundation Child Life Center
• Harvey E. Najim Children’s Emergency Department
• The Bill Greehey Way Bridge
• John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation Mother’s Place
• Judy & Jim Adams Conference Center
• The Lacie and Joe Gorder Pediatric Cardiac Care Unit
• The University Health Milk bank, generously funded by the John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust

The full name for these locations must be used on first reference. Any reference thereafter can be the more generic term (the Grand Staircase, the atrium, the Child Life Center, the emergency department, the bridge, a Mother's Place, the conference center, the PCCU, the milk bank)

University Medicine Associates Our physician practice primary care and multi-specialty group of University Health. UMA is appropriate on second reference.

UT Health The physician practice group for UT Health San Antonio. Formerly called UT Medicine.

UT Health Physicians The physician practice group for UT Health San Antonio. Formerly called UT Medicine.

UT Health San Antonio The academic and research campus, one of seven in the University of Texas System. Formerly called the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.

V

Vaccine, vaccination Per the Associated Press Style guide: A vaccine is a product that stimulates the body's immune system to make antibodies and provide immunity against a specific virus or other germ. Vaccination is the act of giving a vaccine.

The terms are often interchangeable, since a person is receiving the vaccine while getting a vaccination. Use the term vaccination if needed to be specific about the act of giving or receiving the shot: the city's vaccination schedule, for example. The terms immunization and vaccination can generally be used interchangeably.

Don't refer to a vaccine as a drug, medicine or serum.

W

website, webpage no spaces, no capitals

website addresses/URLs Do capitalize letters, do not include http://www unless required to access a specific website.

• UniversityHealth.com
• Exceptions may be made for design purposes.

West Nile virus

WHO World Health Organization. OK on subsequent reference.

Z

Zika virus A virus that can cause severe birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected. A very small proportion of people infected with Zika develop Guillain-Barre, a syndrome that causes temporary muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Zika is primarily spread by a type of tropical mosquito called Aedes aegypti. Usage: the Zika virus or just Zika.

Trauma-Informed Language

Be mindful of how your writing may affect those who have been in a trauma.

Re-Traumatization: When a policy, procedure, interaction or the physical environment replicates someone's original trauma literally or symbolically, triggering the emotions and thoughts associated with the original experience.

Trauma-Informed: One of the three levels of a trauma-informed approach; the overarching umbrella that provides the filter for everything we do in a way that ensures universal precaution.

Trauma-Informed Care: a universal approach to how we interact with anyone who has experienced trauma, whether physical, emotional or psychological. At its most basic level, trauma-informed care is really about being considerate, empathetic and thoughtful in the way we care for others, acknowledging the impact that trauma can have on our daily lives.

Trauma-Sensitive: One of the three levels of a trauma-informed approach; the way that an organization/system/individual responds to trauma and adversity in a sensitive manner.

Trauma-Specific: One of the three levels of a trauma-informed approach; the trauma-specific treatment interventions.

Universal Precaution: Similar to how health care professionals put on gloves to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens, a trauma-informed approach involves putting on metaphorical gloves (changing our interactions, policies, etc.) to prevent the possibility of re-traumatization. It is anticipating, rather than assuming, that all individuals we come into contact with have experienced some kind of trauma in their lives.

Examples:

• Difficult [dif-fi-cult]; adjective
  Example: The ethnic, religious and cultural background of some patients can make intimate examination particularly difficult.
  T-I: The ethnic, religious and cultural background of some patients may necessitate the need for examination modifications based on traditions, beliefs, trauma, history and comfort level prior to conducting an intimate/sensitive examination.

• Disabled[dis-ey-buhld]; adjective
  Handicapped [han-dee-kapt]; adjective Example: The Human Resources department coordinates the documentation, assessment and development of reasonable accommodations for disabled employees.
T-I: The Human Resources department coordinates the documentation, assessment and development of reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities/differently abled employees.

• His/Her [hiz-her]; pronoun
  Context: commonly, his/her will be used in writing as a general term to convey a person's possession or association with a noun (person, place or thing). However, this term is not inclusive of all gender identities and is therefore not trauma informed.
  Example: Nursing staff will counsel the patient on the proper use of his/her medication(s) prior to discharge.
  T-I: Nursing staff will counsel the patient on the proper use of their medication(s) prior to discharge.

• Incapacitated [in-ca-pac-i-tat-ed]; adjective
  Unrepresented [un-rep-re-sent-ed]; adjective
  Context: terms used to describe patients who lack medical decision-making capacity (i.e. incapacitated) and/or have no known or capable surrogate decision-maker (i.e. unrepresented)
  Example: If a surrogate is identified, that individual assumes decision-making responsibilities for the incapacitated patient.
  T-I: If a surrogate is identified, that individual assumes decision-making responsibilities for the patient in the event that the patient lacks medical decision-making capacity.

• Never [nev-er]; adverb
  not [not]; adverb
  cannot [kan-ot]; verb
  Example: Food and drinks for staff are never allowed in patient care areas.
  T-I: Food and drinks for staff may only be consumed in staff breakrooms, recharge rooms, or offices.

• Must [muhst]; verb
  Context: Trauma is something that happens to someone — loss of choice and control is a hallmark. While things are certainly expected and need to occur, over emphasis on compliance can be triggering/activating.
  Example: All employees must wash their hands after every patient interaction.
  T-I: All employees are expected to/need to wash their hands after every patient interaction.

• Should [shood]; verb
  Example: Any medical equipment that malfunctions, fails or is found to be defective while being used in patient care should be immediately removed from patient care.
  T-I: Any medical equipment that malfunctions, fails or is found to be defective while being used in patient care will be immediately removed from patient care.

• Suspected [sus-pect]; adjective
  Example: Hospital leadership is expected to provide general guidelines used for identifying and reporting survivors of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation.
  T-I: Hospital leadership is expected to provide general guidelines used for identifying and reporting survivors of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• Unacceptable [un-ac-cept-able]; adjective
  Example: The patient, parent or guardian always has the opportunity to decline a particular person assigned as a chaperone if the staff member is unacceptable for any reason.
  T-I: The patient, parent or guardian always has the opportunity to decline a particular person assigned as a chaperone if the staff member is not a good fit for their needs.

• Victim [vic-tim]; noun
  Example: Guidelines for identifying and reporting victims of abuse, neglect and family violence are expected to be followed by all employees.
  T-I: Guidelines for identifying and reporting survivors of abuse, neglect and family violence are expected to be followed by all employees.

• Violent [vahy-uh-luhnt]; combative [kuhm-bat-iv]; aggressive [uh-gres-iv]; adjective
  Example: To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff, only those persons specifically trained in proper techniques should respond to incidents involving aggressive or combative persons.
  T-I: To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff, only those persons specifically trained in proper techniques should respond to incidents involving persons exhibiting aggressive or combative behavior.

For more detail on how to approach sensitive topics or clarity in how we refer to specific populations, please refer to the Conscious Style Guide.