An Innovations Exchange Learning Community

Image of patient with family talking to doctor in the hospital

The AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange has identified the delivery of patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) in hospitals as a high-priority area.

As defined by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care(link is external), “patient- and family-centered care is an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients, and families. It redefines the relationships in health care by placing an emphasis on collaborating with people of all ages, at all levels of care, and in all health care settings. This collaboration assures that health care is responsive to an individual’s priorities, preferences, and values. In patient- and family-centered care, patients and families define their ‘family’ and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making.”

Participants in the Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) Learning Community work interactively together to adopt and implement select innovations from the Innovations Exchange. All participating hospitals will develop a patient and family advisor program, or enhance their existing advisor programs; in addition, they will adopt one or more additional strategies based on their specific needs and unique contexts. Participants also receive technical assistance and support from nationally recognized experts to help them implement these innovative strategies.

Learning Community Aims

Aim #1: Engage stakeholders using an evidence-based patient- and family-centered framework that addresses a) leadership, b) patient and family partnerships, c) staff engagement, and d) performance improvement.

Aim #2: Assist hospitals in tailoring and implementing strategies from the Innovations Exchange to advance the practice of PFCC within their own organizational culture and context.

Aim #3: Achieve and document improvement in process and outcome measures tailored to the specific strategies/interventions.

To meet these aims, the AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange is working with the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC) and the Florida Hospital Association (FHA). The membership of the PFCC Learning Community includes a select group of eleven Florida-area hospitals.

Learning Community Progress

In September 2015, the Innovations Exchange made available a PFCC Learning Community Update that describes accomplishments and preliminary outcomes at the end of the first year.

Featured Innovations

Patient Advisors Participate in Hospital Councils, Committees, Staff Training, and Other Activities, Contributing to Improved Patient Satisfaction and Better Organizational Performance

Organization-Wide Adoption of Patient- and Family-Centered Care Leads to Consistently High Levels of Patient Satisfaction

Patient Notepad Improves Communication With Physicians, Including Likelihood of Having Questions Answered

Inclusive Policies, Communication Protocols and Ongoing Training Lead to Culturally Competent Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients

Cardiac Unit Features Acuity-Adjustable Rooms and Other Patient-Centered Programs, Leading to Well-Above Average Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction

Welcome Policy Eliminates Visiting Restrictions and Allows Loved Ones To Be With Patients Round-the-Clock, Generating Positive Feedback From All Stakeholders

Children’s Hospital Hires Parents To Promote Patient- and Family-Centered Care, Leading to Eightfold Increase in Patient and Family Advisors and Higher Satisfaction

Statewide Association Creates Nation’s First Statewide Patient and Family Engagement Advisory Council, Increasing Adoption of Leading Practices by Member Hospitals

Patient and Family Advisors Spearhead Redesign of Bedside Shift-Change Reporting, Leading to More Consistent Use

Patient and Family Advisor Rounding Contributes to Reduction in Falls and to Better Performance on Key Patient Experience Metrics

Featured QualityTools

Guide to Patient and Family Engagement in Hospital Quality and Safety

Patient-Centered Care Improvement Guide

Recommendations and Promising Practices for Designing a Patient and Family-Centered Health Care System

Tips for Group Leaders and Facilitators on Involving Patients and Families on Committees and Task Forces

Featured Events

Patient- and Family-Centered Care for Adults with Chronic Conditions

Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Approaches for Children and Seniors

Featured Reports

Advancing the Practice of Patient- and Family-Centered Care in Hospitals Learning Community: September 2015 Update

Featured Videos

A Patient Advisor’s Perspective on Patient- and Family-Centered Care

This video features a former patient discussing his experience and journey to becoming a patient advisor for Broward Health North Hospital, one of 11 hospitals currently participating in the PFCC Learning Community. He emphasizes the importance and value of partnering with patients to advance the practice of patient- and family-centered care in hospitals. As a companion to theInnovations Exchange’s Frontline Innovators video series, it illustrates the human impact of theadvisor program innovation, which has been adopted and implemented by PFCC Learning Community member hospitals.

Frontline Innovators on Providing Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Bernard Roberson, MSM, BA, HSC

Frontline Innovators on Providing Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Michelle Rickerby, MD Diane DerMarderosian, MD

Frontline Innovators on Providing Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Judith Rogers, PhD, MSN, RN