Writing Guidelines

We generally rely on the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook first, followed by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. But we make exceptions. You’ll find them here in our Cleveland Clinic style guide.

This guide will help you:

• Know how to refer to Cleveland Clinic locations, titles and administrative units
• Follow Cleveland Clinic exceptions to style
• Understand AP style, health and medical web writing, and analytics
• Avoid common style errors

Please note:

• Consumer audiences are different from physician audiences. Physician audiences are different from donors. Advertising is an entirely different type of writing. We realize there may be differences in voice, tone and style for each. That’s OK.
• Spelling and grammar checks are helpful, but don’t follow them automatically!

Cleveland Clinic Enterprise

How to refer to Cleveland Clinic institutes, markets, departments and more

Philanthropic Designations

• Currently, clinical institutes and shared services do not carry donor names.
• Some clinical services and facilities carry donor designations in specific geographic settings. For example: the Taussig Cancer Center building on Main Campus; Cole Eye Institute facilities in the U.S.; and the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute on Main Campus.
  • It is important to use donor naming correctly to adhere to the legal donor agreement. For specific examples, contact your partner in Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy.
• Some previous donor-named institutes no longer exist or exist in specific locations. See the chart below for proper reference.

Cleveland Clinic Locations

How to refer to Cleveland Clinic hospitals and facilities

Cleveland Clinic London

Use the full name when referring collectively to our services there, which consist of a hospital, two outpatients centers and a cancer center opening in 2027. (Use the British spelling centre when writing for a U.K. audience).

First reference: Cleveland Clinic London Hospital
Subsequent references: London Hospital

First reference: Cleveland Clinic London Portland Place Outpatient Center (Centre)
Subsequent references: Portland Place Outpatient Center (Centre), the outpatient center (centre)

First reference: Cleveland Clinic London Mooregate Outpatient Center (Centre)
Subsequent references: Mooregate Outpatient Center (Centre), the outpatient center (centre)

First reference: Cleveland Clinic London Cancer Center (Centre)
Subsequent references: the cancer center (centre)

When referring to Cleveland Clinic London locations, add a comma followed by the location:
Cleveland Clinic London Hospital, 33 Grosvenor Place, London
Cleveland Clinic London Portland Place Outpatient Center (Centre), 24 Portland Place, London
Cleveland Clinic London Mooregate Outpatient Center (Centre), 55 Mooregate, London

British Spelling and Style

We use British spellings rather than American ones in Cleveland Clinic London materials. Here are some of the most common:

Spellings

Please note:

• Some words in British English use “s” where “z” is used in American English. However, “z” occasionally appears in British English, in words such as “citizen.”
• Hospital — In a sentence, don’t use “the” before “hospital.” The patient was admitted to hospital.

Numbers (Months, Dates and Times)

Don’t abbreviate months (Jan., Feb.). Always spell them out, and don’t use commas: The health talk will be on January 14 2027.

When referring to specific dates, use numbers only. Don’t use “1st,” “2nd,” etc. When expressing dates as numbers, the order is day-month-year: 14/04/26.

For time of day, use the 12-hour clock: 4:10 p.m. NOT 16:10 p.m.

Phone Numbers

Don’t use periods between numbers: +44 (0)XX XXX XXXX

In an emergency, call 999 (not 911).

Money

Change $ to £ and convert values from dollars to pounds.

How to Refer to U.K. Medical Providers

British English uses a variety of terms to describe medical providers known in the U.S. as “physicians.” Broadly speaking, all people who have earned a medical degree are called “doctors” in the U.K.

Other than medical students, all medically qualified doctors usually use the title “Dr” (with no period) before their name.

On first reference, include the provider’s degree information after their name: Jane Smith, MBBS, spoke at the conference. Doctors who perform surgery may (for historical reasons) use the titles “Mr”, “Mrs”, “Miss” or “Ms” instead (again, without periods). A doctor who is a university professor may use the title “Prof” instead of “Dr”.

Here, from the British Medical Association, is a brief explanation of the different types of doctors:

Resident doctor — A medical school graduate who is in clinical training and is working under the supervision of a senior doctor.

SAS doctor — “SAS” is an umbrella term for specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors. Collectively, SAS doctors are experienced doctors in permanent posts in the National Health Service (NHS). They work in primary, community and hospital care settings, most often in hospitals, and typically report to a consultant. Specialty doctors have at least four years of postgraduate experience, two in their relevant specialty. Specialists have at least 12 years of postgraduate experience, six in their relevant specialty. Specialists work independently within their clinical areas, running their own medical services and in charge of their own patient care. Associate specialists are doctors with at least 10 years of postgraduate experience, with at least four years in a staff post, two of which are in a specialty.

Consultant — A senior doctor who has completed medical training in a specialized area of medicine and is listed in the official register of medical practitioners within the U.K. Consultants are the most senior grade of hospital doctors and are responsible for leading a team and managing SAS doctors. Consultants work for the NHS and in private practice, in both hospital and community settings.

General practitioner (GP) — GPs have overall responsibility for managing patient care outside of hospitals. This includes diagnosing and treating patients and referring them for specialist treatment where necessary. Some GPs are classified as GP with Extended Role, meaning they can provide an extra area of specialist knowledge in addition to generalist care.

Academic doctor — A doctor who combines teaching, research and specialist clinical care. They can be any grade of doctor from a resident doctor to a consultant, GP or SAS doctor. Job titles (from junior to senior) include academic clinical fellow, clinical lecturer, clinical research fellow, senior clinical lecturer, reader/associate professor and professor.

Physician — A general term for someone who practices medicine, usually in a specialist area such as cardiology, dermatology, neurology, etc.

Surgeon — A specialist in invasive medical treatment that involves operating on the body.

Locum doctor — A fully qualified doctor who is temporarily filling a position due to vacancy, leave or workload demand. All doctors other than resident doctors in their first year can work as locum doctors. Usage: He was working as a locum doctor in a local teaching hospital.

When a U.S. Doctor Is in the U.K.

If you need to reference a U.S.-based staff member in U.K. text, don’t convert their credentials to British style. For example, our CEO shouldn't be “Prof Tom Mihaljevic.”

Titles

Credentials

After the name of a physician, nurse, advanced practice provider or other healthcare professional, list no more than three credentials (abbreviations for academic degrees, professional licenses or certifications). List the most advanced academic degree first, followed by other degrees, then certifications and licensures.

Mary Smith, MD, PhD, MBA
Joseph Sulyman, MSN, RN, CNP

Dr. vs. MD

Include a physician’s or scientist’s degree information after his or her name on first reference:

John Smith, MD, spoke at the conference.
Mary Smith, DO, spoke at the conference.
David Smith, PhD, spoke at the conference.
Janet Smith, MD, PhD, spoke at the conference.

DO NOT use periods in credentials.

On subsequent references, use “Dr. Smith.” (When writing for British audiences, omit the period: Dr Smith.)

Never use “Dr.” and “MD” (or another credential) together. For example, don’t say “Dr. Jane Smith, DO, is an internist.” It should be the full name with MD, DO or PhD on first reference and “Dr. Smith” on second reference.

Academic and Courtesy Titles

We break from AP style by capitalizing a person’s job title both before and after their name. Capitalize official titles of institutions, organizations, departments, sections, centers and programs.

John Smith, MD, Chief of Digestive Disease Institute
Digestive Disease Institute Chief John Smith, MD

We don’t use courtesy titles for laypeople. This means, we don’t use:

• Mr.
• Mrs.
• Miss
• Ms.
  Refer to laypeople by last name only: Beck says he’s never felt better after his heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic.

Chair

Use “chair,” NOT “chairman” or “chairwoman.”

Leadership Titles

Tom Mihaljevic, MD
Chief Executive Officer and President
Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair

...says Tom Mihaljevic, MD, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair.

Please note:

“CEO” always comes first.

Use the full title “Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair” for the first reference. On the rare occasion that a title needs to be referenced more than once in a speech or publication, shorten subsequent references to “Mandel CEO Chair.”

Find additional titles of our leaders here.

Endowed Chair Titles

At Cleveland Clinic, endowed chairholders have been honored by our donors for their expertise, experience and leadership. The chairholders have the privilege and responsibility to recognize the donor of their chair in various communications. Because these titles are agreed upon in the legally binding gift agreement, it is important to use the chairholder’s honorific title in all communications, including letterhead, business cards, email signatures, presentation materials, articles and other publications.

Order of Titles

When an executive or the leader of an institute, department or division also holds an endowed chair, the administrative title is listed first.

Articles and publications

Tom Mihaljevic, MD, is CEO and President and Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair of Cleveland Clinic.

Sunil K. Srivastava, MD, is Chair of Ophthalmology and Barbara and A. Malachi Mixon III Institute Chair in Ophthalmology.

...says Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Cleveland Clinic’s Executive Vice President, Chief Caregiver Officer and Chief Administrative Officer and holder of the Rich Family Chief Caregiver Chair.

Business cards, email and letter signature

Feixiong Cheng, PhD
Director, Genome Center
Dr. Keyhan and Dr. Jafar Mobasseri Endowed Chair for Innovative Research
Cleveland Clinic

Letterhead and presentation materials

Feixiong Cheng, PhD
Director, Genome Center
Dr. Keyhan and Dr. Jafar Mobasseri Endowed Chair for Innovative Research

Photo caption

Feixiong Cheng, PhD, Director, Genome Center and Dr. Keyhan and Dr. Jafar Mobasseri
Endowed Chair for Innovative Research

Introductions in speeches

...Feixiong Cheng, PhD, Director, Genome Center and the holder of the Dr. Keyhan and Dr. Jafar Mobasseri Endowed Chair for Innovative Research.

First reference: Use full title Dr. Keyhan and Dr. Jafar Mobasseri Endowed Chair for Innovative Research
Subsequent references (rarely needed): Shorten to Mobasseri Chair

If you have questions about specific endowed chair titles, email giving@ccf.org.

Academic Appointments

Many Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are members of the faculty of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. A searchable list of the Lerner College of Medicine’s faculty members is here. When relevant to the subject matter, include the faculty member’s Lerner College of Medicine academic title (capitalized) in addition to their administrative title, listing the administrative title first: Sunil K. Srivastava, MD, Chair of Ophthalmology and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. 

Common Words and Style Issues

acronyms

These are words formed from the first letters of a long name or phrase. Quickly recognizable acronyms like “COVID” can be used on first reference. For physicians and scientists, acronyms like “NIH” are quickly recognizable. Less recognizable acronyms should be spelled out on first reference in the story, followed by the acronym in parentheses: C-reactive protein (CRP)

Avoid using too many acronyms in one sentence/paragraph/article.

addresses

When used with a numbered street address, spell out “Road,” “Drive,” “Alley” and “Terrace.” Abbreviate “Ave.,” “Blvd.” and “St.” (Spell these out if used with just the street name.)

The Lakewood Family Health Center is at 14601 Detroit Ave.
The Lakewood Family Health Center is on Detroit Avenue.

advance directive(s)

A written statement of a person’s wishes for medical treatment. This often includes a living will to ensure those wishes are carried out if the patient is unable to let their care team know.

It is important that a patient have an advance directive prior to surgery.
Have you talked to your patients about advance directives?

ampersand (&)

Only use ampersands in institute names (not in department, division or center names): Women’s & Children’s Institute; Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department. It’s OK to use ampersands in headers and social media copy. Spell out “and” in body copy.

attainment and cash flow

We no longer use “attainment” or “cash flow.” These words are confusing and often misinterpreted in philanthropic communications.

We now use “commitments” instead of “attainment,” and “assets received” instead of “cash flow.”

atrial fibrillation

For patients/consumers:

• First reference: atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Subsequent references: AFib (or spell out)

For medical professionals:

• First reference: atrial fibrillation (AF)
• Subsequent reference: AF

attribution

When quoting sources, always use present-tense verbs, like “says” instead of “said.”

“When you’re sick, it’s best to simply stay home to protect others,” says Dr. Allan.

Unlike AP style, varying the verb is preferred. Use terms like “notes,” “explains,” “stresses” or “points out.”

board-certified

Always hyphenated, whether as a compound modifier or following a form of the verb to be:

The panel is composed of board-certified physicians. He is board-certified in pediatrics.

brand names vs. generic

Generic names are preferred to avoid any appearance of endorsing one brand over another.

Use brand names only when they’re essential to the article or to help health literacy. In these cases, use the generic name (if there is one), with the brand name in parentheses, observing requirements for ® or ™ (only on first reference). If possible, use two or three examples (like “popular apps Strava, AllTrails or GaiaGPS”) so it doesn’t look like we support one.

Capitalize brand names and lowercase generic names. For example: acetaminophen and Tylenol®.

(See drug names)

bullets

Bulleted lists can make your content easier to read, and they’re good for search engines.

• Start all bullets with a capital letter. Use periods at the end of bulleted text that is a complete sentence. Do not use periods after bulleted text that is not a complete sentence.
• Keep the same verb tense in lists, like “keeping, watching, reviewing” or “keep, watch, review.”

Use at least three but no more than eight items in a bulleted list.

caregiver

Don’t capitalize other than at the start of a sentence.

care path(s)

Capitalize when referring to a specific care path’s formal name: Cleveland Clinic Spine Care Path.

Lowercase when referring to “Cleveland Clinic care paths” collectively or when generically referencing care paths.

CAR T-cell therapy

First reference (medical professionals and consumers): Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy

Subsequent references: CAR T-cell therapy

colons and capitalization

Capitalize after a colon only when what follows is a complete sentence.

He promised this: Patients would come first.
There were three considerations: expense, time and feasibility.

courtesy titles

We don’t use courtesy titles for laypeople. This means, we don’t use:

• Mr.
• Mrs.
• Miss
• Ms.

Refer to laypeople by last name only: Beck says he’s never felt better after his heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic.

data

For patients/consumers, say “data is.”

For medical professionals, say “data are.”

“Datum” is rarely used anymore.

degrees (credentials)

Don’t use periods in abbreviated credentials: MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, RN, MBA, MBBS. Limit the number of credentials following a name to three.

Staff with a doctorate degree — PhD, DNP, DPM, DPT, AuD, PharmD, etc. — should be referred to as “Dr. LAST NAME” on second reference. For consumers, reference the kind of degree the staff member holds (like nursing, podiatric medicine, physical therapy) to clarify if the caregiver does or doesn’t have a medical degree (MD or DO): Dr. Jones, a podiatrist....

degrees (temperature)

Do not use the degree symbol when writing a temperature level: 100 F, not 100°F.

Since we’re a global enterprise, present degrees in Fahrenheit followed by Celsius in parentheses:

Most people think a body’s normal temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius).

Newer studies suggest the average person’s temperature is between 97.5 F (36.4 C) and 97.9 F (36.6 C).

Online converters aren’t always accurate! Incremental increases or decreases in degrees Fahrenheit can be converted to increments in degrees Celsius by multiplying the degrees F by 5/9 (because 1 degree C is equal to 1.8 degrees F). For example, a .36 rise in Fahrenheit is a .2 rise in Celsius (.36 x [5/9] = .2).

To convert C incremental rises to F, divide degrees C by 5/9.

dietitian

Use “dietitian” not “dietician.”

disc, disk

Use “disk” for all medical/anatomical references, such as “lumbar disk,” “pinched disk.” “Disc” is for references to optical storage devices read by lasers (compact discs or CDs). But use “disk” in reference to magnetic storage devices (hard disk, floppy disk).

disease names

For disease names affiliated with a proper name, use the possessive rather than the singular form: Parkinson’s disease NOT Parkinson disease; Alzheimer’s disease NOT Alzheimer disease. This applies to consumer and physician content.

The word disease is always lowercase.

For physician content, if the disease name appears multiple times in an article, an acronym is acceptable on subsequent references after being introduced parenthetically:

Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

drug names

Use the generic name, with the brand name in parentheses.

If you take blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin®), be careful not to overdo vitamin K.

email

Lowercase and no hyphen

e-newsletter

Hyphenate most e- terms: e-newsletter, e-reader, e-book. Lowercase the letter following “e-”.

Do not include “e-newsletter” in the name of your e-newsletter: Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials not Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials e-newsletter.

Epic

This is the name of the electronic medical records system Cleveland Clinic uses, developed by the company Epic Systems. Capitalize the first letter but not the entire name: Epic not EPIC.

The apps that patients or caregivers use to access data contained in Epic include MyChart®, MyConsult, DrConnect and MyPractice.

esports

Lowercase and no hyphen

fellow/fellowship

Capitalize the official name of a fellowship: The Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics is a two-year program. When first referring to a fellow, use their full name, followed by the phrase “a fellow in SPECIALTY AREA”: Ann Jones, MD, a fellow in dermatology.

follow-up

Used as a noun or adjective.

The follow-up is important.

She went for her follow-up appointment.

follow up

Used as a verb.

I need to follow up with you.

fundraising, fundraiser

Always one word

healthcare

Always one word

homepage

Always one word

inpatient, outpatient

For patients/consumers: Avoid using except in names of facilities because consumers don’t know what this means. Don’t say “an outpatient procedure.” Say “a procedure that doesn’t require a hospital stay.” Don’t say “an inpatient stay.” Say that “you’ll need to stay in the hospital after your procedure.”

For medical professionals: Use with no spaces or hyphens.

insure/ensure

Use “insure” when referring to insurance. Use “ensure” to mean guarantee.

internet/intranet

Always lowercase

The Joint Commission

Formerly JCAHO, or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Now called The Joint Commission. Don’t abbreviate. Spell out.

log in, login

Use “log in” as a verb.
Use “login” as an adjective.

Use your assigned login name to log in to your account.

-ly modifiers

We follow AP style: Don’t use a hyphen in a two-word phrase that includes an -ly adverb. It’s “highly qualified candidate,” not “highly-qualified candidate.”

medical/Latin terms

Don’t italicize commonly used medical and Latin terms, like “ex vivo” and “in utero.” Italicize the genus and species names of organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, and the abbreviated names of genes (but not the gene’s corresponding protein). Capitalize the genus name but not the species name.

Examples:

“The germ Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on skin.”

“Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the risk of breast cancer.”

“The BRCA1 gene codes for the BRCA1 protein.”

months

Abbreviate these months when they’re used with a specific date: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. Spell out if used alone or with the year.

The health talk is on Jan. 27.
The health talk will be in January.
The health talk will be in January 2027.

When referring to specific dates, use the numerals only. Don’t use 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

mpox

The virus formerly known as “monkeypox,” which originates in wild animals and can spread to people. For SEO purposes, you can include “formerly known as monkeypox.”

There are more than 11,800 confirmed cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the U.S.

N value vs. n value

When referring to the total number of participants in a research study or units in a sample, capitalize the N. For the number in a subgroup, lowercase the n. Do not italicize N or n (as you do for P value). Put spaces around the equal symbol: N = 900, n = 50.

non-

Don’t hyphenate unless identical consonants run together or the second part is a formal capitalized name: non-nuclear, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

nonprofit vs. not-for-profit

When referring to Cleveland Clinic, use “nonprofit.”

numbers

• Figures – Spell out numbers less than 10 (except in headlines). Use figures for 10 and above. Don’t start sentences with a numeral, including years. Spell out the number instead or rephrase the sentence: Fifty-four people were in the room. The year 2020 saw COVID closures across the U.S.
• Ages – Always write as numerals. The patient was 7 years old. The 7-year-old patient.
• Fractions – Spell out “one-third,” “four-fifths,” etc. in text. For mixed numbers, use 1 ½ or 2 ¾.
• Measurements – Use numerals. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.
• Ratios – Use numerals. About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. has diabetes. (But if it’s at the beginning of a sentence, it would be “One in 10 people…”).
• Tables and charts – Use figures.

nursing degrees/certifications/licensures

List the highest level of academic achievement first, followed by other degrees and certifications or licensures. Certifications or licensures go after earned degrees. This is because these can be revoked and/or need to be renewed.

Amy Adams, MSN, RN, and Zoe Zone, BSN, RN

Ob/Gyn

Use in all instances. Not “OB/GYN” or “ob/gyn.”

OK

OK, OK’d, OK’ing. Don’t use “okay.” Don’t use periods.

open heart surgery

No hyphen because it isn’t the heart that is being opened. Open heart surgery is open surgery on the heart.

orthopaedic

Spelled the British way using “ae.” Only exceptions are referencing non-Cleveland Clinic names spelled “orthopedic.”

P values

Capitalize and italicize the P. Put spaces around the equal (or other) symbol. Don’t put a zero before the decimal: P = .01

partnership

Don’t use this word when you only mean that we’re working with another organization or business entity. “Partnership” or “partnering” implies a specific legal arrangement. Instead, use “collaborate/collaboration,” “join forces with,” “in cooperation with,” “team with” or “work with.”

patients
In consumer copy (website, fliers), avoid using the word patients and talk directly to the reader.

You should go to the emergency room if your symptoms are severe.

“It would be an emergency if you (NOT “a patient”) hadn’t had a bowel movement for a prolonged time, and you’re also experiencing major bloating or severe abdominal pain,” notes Dr. Zutshi.

Patients First/patients first

Capitalize when using it in reference to our mission or the overall initiative.

As part of our Patients First efforts, Cleveland Clinic is committed to quality.

Don’t capitalize when using in a generic sense.

Mary is a great nurse who is putting patients first.

percent vs. percentage

A percent is a specific number, like 15%. Percentage is used without a firm number and requires an adjective to describe the size: a large percentage.

About 15% of patients responded to treatment with aspirin.
A large percentage of patients responded to treatment with aspirin.
The percentage of patients who responded to treatment with aspirin ranged from 15% to 50%.

percent vs. %

Use the symbol %. Don’t spell out “percent.”

phone numbers

Use periods, not dashes.

The main line to Cleveland Clinic is 216.444.2200.
To make a reservation, call 800.223.2273.
To make a reservation, call 888.555.0000.

physician

This term is preferred to describe the holder of an MD or DO degree when writing for medical professionals. “Doctor” is acceptable when communicating with the lay public. See the entry “How to Refer to U.K. Medical Providers” for guidance in writing for a British audience.

plan of care vs. plan-of-care visit

When used as a noun, “plan of care” is lowercase with no hyphens. When used as an adjective, as in “plan-of-care visit,” use lowercase and hyphens.

PMOS/PCOS

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is now the name for the medical condition previously called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In the first reference, include both the updated and historical terminology: Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when your ovaries create excess hormones.

preventive

Use “preventive,” not “preventative.”

profanity

Never use profanity (swear words, cussing, cursing) in Cleveland Clinic materials. If it’s part of a direct quote from a patient, revise to the closest meaning (with permission). If it’s from a clinical source, edit to remove it since they approve all content before publishing.

publication titles

Italicize all publication journal titles, including the names of all Cleveland Clinic newsletters, e-newsletters, magazines, etc.

Red Coat

Capitalized, two words.

A Red Coat is a Cleveland Clinic greeter who wears a signature red coat to help patients and visitors navigate our facilities. Red Coats provide wayfinding assistance, offer directions, and often serve as a reassuring first point of contact. Use “Red Coat” as a job title or role name. Use the plural form “Red Coats” for groups. When referring to the program, “Red Coat Program” is acceptable but not required unless needed for clarity.

residents/fellows

Refer to their PGY (postgraduate year) with a dash between “PGY” and the year.

The PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program won the award.

Congratulations to Jane Smith, MD (PGY-2, internal medicine, Fairview Hospital), who has been selected to participate in the award program.

robotic surgery

The preferred terms are “robot-assisted surgery” and “robotically assisted surgery.” The term “robotic surgery” may also be accurate, but some readers think it implies the robot performed the surgery alone, without a surgeon. These terms are never correct: robotic-assisted surgery, robotically-assisted surgery.

sequential designations

Lowercase the designations phase and stage when used in a medical context. (This is different from AP style.) Use Arabic numerals: phase 2 trial, stage 3 cancer. But: Type 2 diabetes (capitalize the T).

shared medical appointment (SMA)

Always lowercase unless in a headline. Use “SMA” on subsequent reference.

specialty/field of medicine

Lowercase generic references. Capitalize when part of an official name.

He finished his plastic surgery residency last year.
He joined the Plastic Surgery Department.

staff

Lowercase when referring to our physicians as “professional staff” or “staff.”

state of the art vs. state-of-the-art

Don’t hyphenate when it follows the word it’s modifying.

The center was state of the art.

Hyphenate when used as a modifier.

Cleveland Clinic is known for state-of-the-art care.

Please note: This phrase is overused. Use sparingly. We prefer “leading edge” or “advanced.”

swear words (see profanity)

times

• a.m. and p.m. – Use periods except for printed invitations, if desired.
• noon and midnight – Don’t capitalize. And don’t put the number before (not 12 noon).
• times – Use 2 p.m., not 2:00 p.m. Hyphenate when describing a time range: 2-3 p.m.

trademarks/registration marks

Registration marks are used to indicate a product’s or material’s legally protected status. The copyright symbol (©) indicates an original work of authorship or intellectual property that has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. The trademark symbol (™) indicates an unregistered claim of ownership of a name, slogan or logo. The registered trademark symbol (®) indicates a word, phrase, logo, brand or product (often a drug) that is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Use the appropriate superscripted symbols on all first references (except in headlines and quotes): Tylenol®, Novacor®.

U.K.

Can be used as a noun or adjective, even on first reference. Use periods except in headlines. Then, use UK.

underway

Always one word.

URLs/web addresses

Use all lowercase characters, except when doing so may result in confusion or misreading.

clevelandclinic.org/heartenews
youtube.com/clevelandclinic

Please note: Don’t include “www.” before the address UNLESS the web address doesn’t work without it. Include “http//” before intranet site addresses.

In print: Avoid URLs that are lengthy and complicated unless essential to guide the reader to a document. (Ask for a vanity URL by emailing KOHUTL2@ccf.org instead.) Avoid breaking a URL. When necessary, break after a dot or slash; don’t use a hyphen.

Online: Don’t say “Visit clevelandclinic.org/XXX.” Hyperlink to the URL. Don’t say, “click here.” Simply hyperlink the appropriate text.

U.S.

Can be used as a noun or adjective, even on first reference. Use periods except in headlines. Then, use US.

value-based care

Use lowercase and hyphen.

web

Always lowercase: web-based, webchat, webpage, website, webmaster, webfeed, web address, web browser.

-wide

Don’t hyphenate: enterprisewide, communitywide, nationwide, etc.

world class care

This phrase should ONLY be used in our advertising tagline "Every life deserves world class care" or in other advertising uses. "World class" or "world-class" should NOT be used in any copy as a descriptor.

world-renowned

Hyphenate and add -ed when used as a modifier. When used alone as a noun, drop the hyphen and the -ed: world renown. (Think of “renown” as fame and “renowned” as famous.)

911

Don’t hyphenate.

Words We Don’t Use

There are certain words we no longer use. Some are outdated or political. Some label and judge. Some aren’t understood by consumers. This list will grow and evolve over time:

• alcoholic – Is judging. Say someone has “alcohol use disorder.”
• addict – Is judging. “Addiction(s)” can be used in a proper medical context.
• comorbidities – OK for medical professionals but not for consumers. Instead, say “having more than one medical condition at the same time.”
• control – Avoid “control” — use “manage.”
• diabetic – Isn’t person-first language. Say “someone who has diabetes” or “a patient with diabetes.”
• issues – Don’t use “someone has issues” or “weight issues.”
• obese – Is judging. For BMI greater than 30, say “has obesity.” For BMI greater than 25, say “has overweight.”
• smoker – Is judging. Say “someone who smokes.”
• suffer(s) – Avoid because it presumes everyone has the same experience with a medical condition. Use “has” instead.
• unborn baby – Use “fetus,” or “embryo” if before the ninth week of pregnancy.
• victim – Avoid uses such as the “victim” of a mental illness.
• womb – Use “uterus.”

Writing for the Web

Understand and write for YOUR audience.

For consumers – Aim for a 6th- to 8th-grade reading level that reflects health literacy rates. Short, simple sentences work best. Talk directly to them, using “you” and “yours.” Say “people,” not “patients.” Use contractions to keep the tone light and conversational. Avoid medical jargon.

For physicians/clinicians – Write for an audience with a doctorate degree. Use (and assume they understand) medical terminology. But write clearly and succinctly.

Talk to your assigning editor or supervisor for additional details.