Transcript Slide 1
Partnership with
Families on
Quality & Safety
Carole Hemmelgarn
Matthew Vitaska, RN, ND
Alyssa Hemmelgarn
2
History of Family Engagement in
Quality and Safety
• Family members have been on our hospital committees
since 2009
Quality and Safety Committee of our Board of Directors
Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement Council
Patient Safety Committee
Various microsystem Quality Committees and work groups
3
Our Journey
• Step 1: Build Will
Discussions with risk management/legal
Discussions at Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement
Council
• Senior leadership
Anonymous survey to committee members
• Only a few had legal concerns
• Step 2: Execution
Developed an orientation program for family members
• Introduction to quality & patient safety-basic concepts
• Overview of CHCO quality & safety program
• Orientation to building/life safety
Orientation for committee members
• Step 3: Ongoing Support
Checking in with families and committee members
4
Ground Rules and Orientation: Family Participation in QI Committees and
Initiatives
Nationally, the inclusion of parents on quality related committees and projects is becoming
increasingly common and accepted at Children’s Hospitals. We know there is a role for
patients and families in the redesign of the health care systems in which they receive their
care. We are pleased to welcome families into our work efforts.
What we want Children’s staff to know:
1. We can be honest in our discussions. Parents who have been invited to join us understand our
goal and the need for confidentiality about what is discussed. This is a safe environment for
these discussions.
2. You may feel awkward discussing certain things; that is normal and expected. We will work
through this area together.
3. There may be times when the parents challenge us. That is a good thing. We want their
perspective to be included, being open to change and not accepting the status quo. It is
important to remember that the family’s goals are EXACTLY aligned with our own- to have a
safe, effective, patient and family centered course of care for their child.
4. This is somewhat of an unknown for the parents who are joining us. They are committed to and
passionate about partnering with us. They want us to know that they are learning also and want
to be sure they are being helpful.
5
What we want Parents to know:
1. We want you to know you are welcome members of our team.
2. Please understand that this is new for us too. It is hard to admit that we don’t always do things
as well as we would want. We are continually working to improve and are asking you to be
active participants in that journey.
3. We value your experiences and perspective and welcome your input. We invite you to share
your experiences with us. Don’t hesitate to ask tough questions or raise issues of any concern.
4. It is important that the things we discuss remain confidential. We will not discuss names in any
case, but even the general nature of the discussions and the issues we are addressing are things
that we would not want to air publicly.
5. Some of the language or terms we use may be new to you, please ask us if you don’t understand
what we are talking about.
Defining Success:
All participants, staff and parents:
1. Were open and honest in discussing topics and issues.
2. Gained a new perspective about how our organization performs.
3. Felt the experience facilitates further integration of families into quality work
4. Parents who participated have a better understanding about improving quality, patient safety
and the challenges the hospital faces.
5. We ALL feel it was a success having parents join our committee AND, we would not hesitate to
6
consider involving families in any future quality or performance improvement efforts.
Our Experience
• Evaluation in Q4 2012 via survey
Demographics
• 62 Reponses
4 parent members
55 staff
3 board members
• Approximately 30% participation rate
7
Family Member Feedback
8
Hospital Staff and Board Feedback
9
Parents Speaking Up-2 Views
10
Conclusions
• Feedback is overwhelmingly positive on parent
participation in committees at CHCO
• Family members have helped call out the white
elephants
• Family members have challenged us to accelerate
some of our work
• Family members have brought forth view points that we
wouldn’t have thought of
11
Lessons Learned
• Spell things out on power points
Acronyms & abbreviations
• Checking in with the family members before and/or after
meetings is helpful
May need emotional support
May need clarification of things that were talked about
They may not always feel comfortable speaking up in a group
setting
• Request to provide family members with committee
rosters that include pictures
• If can be helpful to have someone with content
knowledge sit next to the family member to “translate”
medical jargon/concepts during the meeting
12
How You Can Get Started
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Find early adopter parent/patient/family, staff leaders
Start with a project or task force, then another…..
Develop, adapt or steal orientation materials
PDSA Cycles!
Patient/family selection strategies
Hospital staff preparation
Dealing with concerns/resistance
“Start before you’re ready”
13