Why should I buy manuals – can't I just write my own?

Yes. The questions to ask are these:

• How much is your time worth?

• How long will it take me to write an up-to-date manual that includes tested procedures and is warranted to pass the next state inspection?

• Can I produce quality of the writing necessary to communicate properly the essential elements of treatment agency operation.

• Are you comfortable that your language will accurately reflect the intention of organization policy?

Aren't these manuals just the same as everyone else’s? How can they be so inexpensive and be written for me?

Our manuals are based on best practices and the regulations of your state. They are customized in format with your job titles, logo and other items that are particular and your location. One of the ways that we keep costs down is to have you complete some of the procedures needed that are unique to your organization.

How do I make sure my manuals stay up to date?

Depending on your location, updates are published regularly for your state by us as the regulations change, or on demand from you. Updates vary in cost dependent on the amount of work involved and method of delivery. These updates, like our manuals, are guaranteed to meet your regulations or we rewrite the non-conforming sections at no additional charge.

I've lost the serial number to open the installation program on the CD that came with my manuals. How do I obtain this number?

How do I customize manuals to reflect my agency practices?

The installation CD that came with your manuals will install the manual files on your computer. The files are in Microsoft Word. Before making an changes, we recommend reading both the administrative code and any implementation guide from the regulatory agency. It is safer to add text than to delete it as much of the language has been written to meet the compliance/conformance requirements of the agency reviewing your policies and procedures.

In order to keep the manuals organized and usable, we recommend keeping reference documents such as Business Associate/QSO Agreements in separate files and detailed procedures you may have for areas such as finance in separate desk manuals.

In a larger organization you may wish to reference other organizational policies and procedures that effect your department. Adding those policies and procedures to the manuals for a specific program can make the binders unwieldy and hinder the review process.

I get a "file corrupted" message when trying to open one of my program manual files in Word 2003. How can I open the file?

The quickest way is to open the file from within Word 2003. From the File | Open dialogue box in Word 2003, Select - but do not double click - the file. In the bottom right of the dialogue box left click on the small down arrow and select Open and Repair. Ignore the Show Repairs dialogue box, then save the file.

This is a problem with Word 2003. For more information, go to: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889409/en-us

My Washington chemical dependency residential program manuals have a Health & Safety Manual. Aren't we supposed to have a three manual set?

While WAC 388-305 cites administrative, personnel and clinical manuals, the residential treatment facility administrative code has a separate section for health and safety. Logically it makes better sense to place all the health and safety items in the CD WAC in one manual for residential programs. DASA has assured us you may reference the material (which you will find in the front of the administrative, personnel and clinical manuals) to a fourth manual.