An Executive Leadership Forum was held October 26, 2008, prior to the official beginning of the Hospitals and Communities Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care Intensive Training Seminar in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jim Conway, Senior Vice President, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, concluded the forum with his thoughts on “Aligning Leadership Agendas for Quality, Safety, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care.”

Jim told the forum that patient- and family-centered care has arrived! Because of a growing realization by consumers that the current system must be overhauled to achieve quality and safety goals, patient- and family-centered care is much more than a conversation about care at the bedside or in the exam room—not an “if” but a when and how discussion. Read More

Over 400 participants, including 45 patient and family leaders and 39 physicians, representing 106 health care organizations from 40 states, 5 Provinces of Canada, and several other countries attended the Hospitals and Communities Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care Intensive Training Seminar in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, October 26-30, 2008.

The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center reports that they have formed a Patient- and Family-Centered Care Committee and have begun work on creating an Advisory Council.

Individual units have made the following changes: "visiting hours" are for visitors and family members are invited to stay as long as they want; nurses and physicians are rounding at the bedside; nurse to nurse report is being piloted at the bedside. They have recently introduced Tuesday support care conferences at the patient's bedside. Families are invited to participate in person or by telephone conferences so that they can join the conversation. Team members include a social worker, resident PA, RN, PT, OT, and discharge planner.

MD Anderson Cancer Center sent teams to the Institute's Atlanta and Calgary Seminars. Teams report that the newly formed Family Advisory Committee, comprised of 12 family and 12 staff members, is now eight months old. During that time the Committee has contributed to: the web re-design project; the patient navigator program; the newly created enewsletter; the new mission and vision statement for the Children's Cancer Hospital; staff and family survey regarding patient- and family-centered care; Hospital School/Education Department programs and services; and problem-solving sessions for out-patient clinic regarding wait times and comprehensive services.

A Supportive Care Steering Committee has been assembled. This group, consisting of 11 parents and 15 staff members, will outline the Supportive Care Program. The new program is intended to expand and improve symptom control for patients and provide additional support systems for families facing end-of-life issues.

Patients, parents, and staff are members of a new Hospital Re-design Team that will work with architects and facilities management to design the new hospital expansion.

And most recently, members of the Family Advisory Committee are involved in interviewing all candidates for nursing leadership positions.

Pinwheel Sponsors receive national and international recognition as one of the Institute's valued supporters. Pinwheel Sponsors benefit from the Institute's numerous educational programs and its practical, user-friendly resources for enhancing the practice of patient- and family-centered care. To view a comprehensive list of Pinwheel Sponsors and sponsor benefits visit our Pinwheel Sponsors page.

Stay tuned . . . 2009 Pinwheel Sponsors will receive a discount to participate in Institute webinars.

The Institute is pleased to announce that our intensive training seminar, Hospitals and Communities Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care, will be offered in Boston, Massachusetts. This seminar will be held at the The Boston Park Plaza Hotel, March 2-5, 2009. 

We are proud to have leadership support for our seminar from:

Dana–Farber Cancer Institute,

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,

Brigham and Women’s Hospital,

Children’s Hospital Boston, and

A sampling of topics include: Patient- and Family-Centered Innovations, Creating and Maintaining Patient and Family Advisory Councils, Enhancing Patient Safety through Partnerships with Patients and Families, Changing the View that Families are Visitors, Supporting Staff and Dealing with Resistance to Change, Developing the Business Case and Designing Facilities to Support Patient- and Family-Centered Care, and Executive Leadership for Transformative Change. Faculty members from across the country will bring a breadth of experience to the seminar.

Create your own interdisciplinary seminar team, including administrative leaders, physicians, nurses and other clinical staff, as well as patient and family leaders. Learn how your team members can be effective agents for patient- and family-centered change, gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to move your organization forward to improve clinical outcomes and the experience of care. The seminar format encourages dialogue within and among teams, and with the seminar faculty.

Participants also will have an opportunity to tour some of our sponsor hospitals to observe best practices in patient- and family-centered care, and to participate in an optional dinner cruise on the Spirit of Boston.  

Interested in sending a team to our Boston seminar? 

NOTE:  Early bird registration ends on January 12, 2009.  Register early, as this event is likely to sell out.

On November 20, 2008, the Joint Commission issued a report titled Health Care at the Crossroads: Guiding Principles for the Development of the Hospital of the Future". The report is the work of an expert panel of hospital executives, clinical leaders, and experts in the fields of technology, patient safety, hospital design, and health care economics. The roundtable analyzed how socio-economic trends, technology, the physical environment of care, patient-centered care values, and ongoing staffing challenges will impact the hospital of the future.

The report states, "It is the patient who is at the center of care. The patient has the greatest stake in their care and as such, should be respected as an equal partner in their care. The elevation of the patient to partner is not a ceremonial title bestowed for a 'feel good' moment, but has significant implications for the quality and safety of patient care. Family members or others to whom the patient is emotionally tied are also part of the health care partnership." Read the entire report and The Joint Commission's delineation of how to achieve patient-centered care...