Background Individuals with serious illness face complex healthcare decisions which have important and lasting consequences. Person-centered care can be achieved when personal values, goals, and beliefs are aligned with the actual care provided.

Person-centered decision-making requires a) clear, accurate and unbiased information about all options, including risks versus benefits; b) clinician investment and expertise in engaging and communicating with patients; and c) the effective integration of personal values, goals, and beliefs into choices. Person-centered decision aids (PDAs) are tools designed to help patients and providers in the process of shared decision-making. Research shows, high quality PDAs lead to increased knowledge, more accurate risk perception, reduced indecision about care, and improved patient engagement.

Methods Based on criteria developed by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration (IPDAS), Healthier Washington Initiative, Washington State, USA, developed and implemented a process of certifying PDAs to assure they are effective, accurate, unbiased tools to use in the shared decision-making process. Implementation of quality PDAs can be standardized using the fundamentals described in the National Quality Forum’s(NQF) National Quality Partners(NQP) Playbook—Shared Decision-Making in HealthCare.

Results This presentation will review certification criteria for developing high-quality PDAs. A four-phased approach will be discussed that describes the process of developing and certifying three serious illness decision aids and their integration within Respecting Choices® person-centered decision-making programs.

Conclusion Development and certification of quality PDAs in healthcare organizations using a standard approach to the decision-making process can support a culture of person-centered care.