Patient- and Family-Centered Care, also known as partnership care, is a top priority at Pen Bay Healthcare. This model of care combines patient safety and a patient-centered and family-centered philosophy and culture. The effective integration of this model has demonstrated improvement in multiple health systems across the U.S.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care is an approach to healthcare that shapes policies, programs, facility design and staff day-to-day interactions. Grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among healthcare providers, patients and family, this model of care leads to better health outcomes, wiser allocation of resources and greater patient and family satisfaction.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care practitioners recognize the vital role families play in ensuring the health and well-being of patients of all ages. They acknowledge that emotional, social and developmental support are integral components of healthcare and that patients and families deserve to be treated with dignity.
Core Concepts of a Patient- and Family-Centered System of Care
- Dignity and Respect. Healthcare practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices.
- Patient and Family Knowledge. Value, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.
- Information Sharing. Healthcare practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families receive timely, complete, and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.
- Participation. Patients and families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.
Collaboration. Patients, families, healthcare practitioners, and hospital leaders collaborate in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in health care facility design; in professional education; and in the delivery of care.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care is not just "being nice" or addressing needs promptly.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care underscores how effective communication and relationships are critical. It is about partnerships and the participatory involvement of patients and families in care and decision-making.
As an important step in the implementation of the Patient- and Family-Centered Care model, Pen Bay Healthcare has established a Family Advisory Council, comprised of community members and Pen Bay people, which will meet monthly.
Read about the Council.
"We're looking forward to building a solid bridge of communication between the community and key decision-makers at Pen Bay," said Paula Delahanty, PBMC vice president of nursing, one of the top Pen Bay executives leading the patient- and family-centered care initiative. "We believe this group will be a constructive body that can truly help Pen Bay succeed in providing better care."
2010-07-02