Cincinnati Children's Establishes Family Advisory Council
CINCINNATI -- Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati has established a Family Advisory Council, a group including 18 adult members of families that receive care at Cincinnati Children's, to help the medical center provide true family-centered care.
The Family Advisory Council (FAC), which also includes 11 hospital staff members and two parent coordinators, will have its orientation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 8, in the Fifth Third Bank Auditorium, Sabin Education Center, at Cincinnati Children's. Among those presenting at the orientation are James Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Cincinnati Children's; Lee Carter, chairman of the board; and Dorine Seaquist, RN, senior vice president, patient services.
The FAC will advise Cincinnati Children's administration and medical leadership on patient needs and hospital priorities from a family perspective. Members also will serve on hospital committees that influence patient care.
"Family-centered care is a collaboration that puts the family first, not just when it's convenient but all the time," says Patty Wells, RN, director of Cincinnati Children's Family Resource Center and the staff liaison to the FAC. "Family-centered care acknowledges that families are experts in their children's care. Families deserve to be partners in all aspects of their children's care, and the FAC will help ensure that this happens."
"It is our hope that the FAC will break down those barriers that sometimes occur between health-care professionals and families," adds Amy Clawson, one of the two parent coordinators. "Recognizing the uniqueness and strengths of each family builds a partnership that results in improved health and well-being. Family-centered care is a win-win for all the players on our children's health-care team."
The FAC is a component of a broader Cincinnati Children's family-centered care initiative. For example, in the newborn intensive care unit, the goal is to involve parents in their child's care throughout the hospital stay, building the skills and confidence they will need to care for their babies on their own. As the day of discharge nears, parents can stay overnight in one of three home-like parent care rooms, taking care of their babies themselves, but with the reassurance of knowing that doctors and nurses are nearby if needed.
The Institute for Family-Centered Care, based in Bethesda, Maryland, defines family-centered care as a "system-wide approach to pediatric care based on the assumption that the family is a child's primary source of strength and support."
With this in mind, it is hoped that the FAC results in more efficient planning to ensure that services provided at Cincinnati Children's meet family needs; lead to increased understanding and cooperation between families and staff; and provide increased emotional support and access to information for families.
The FAC probably will meet monthly to discuss issues that are brought before it. The staff liaison will support council activities and ensure that consumer input influences policies, programs and practices that affect care and services.
Contact Information
Jim Feuer (jfeuer@chmcc.org)
513-636-4656
