2
CHS Sanger Heart &
Vascular Institute to
Create Patient and
Family Advisory Council
Editor In Chief
P eg g y M c E l g u n n , E s q . ,
E x ec u t i v e D i r ec t or
C o n t r i bu t i n g E d i t o r
Quality
M a r y H ei s l er ,
ACE
Janelle Willis
C o n t r i bu t i n g E d i t o r
Te c h n o l o g y
Carolinas
H e a l t h C a r e S y st e m ' s
Sanger Heart &
V a s c u l a r I n st i t u t e
I k e M i l l er ,
C a r ol i n a s M ed i c a l C en t er
C o n t r i bu t i n g E d i t o r
R e i m bu r s e m e n t / F i n a n c e
A
t Carolinas HealthCare
System
we
remain
committed to providing an
overall experience of healing
for patients and families,
creating enduring relationships and
continuing to lead the transformation of
healthcare delivery.
Our continued success depends on our
people and our ability to consistently
improve the quality of care we provide
to our patients. For this reason, we are
proceeding in this capacity through our
partnership and development of a
Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
Patient and Family Advisory Council.
This council will be a representation of
our entire Sanger Heart & Vascular
Institute scope.
The Patient and Family Advisory council
will allow patients and families to have
direct input and influence on policies,
programs, and practices affecting care
and services for the patients and family
members we serve. The magnitude of
this council creates a win-win situation
for everyone involved.
As an example from another program,
Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln
was able to improve way finding by
utilizing cancer ribbons as a landmark
for Levine Cancer Institute patients. A
flag with cancer ribbons has been
permanently raised so that patients can
see from the main entrance of the
hospital how to navigate to Levine
Cancer Institute. This suggestion was
taken from their Patient Advisory
Council which has helped to improve
D a v i d S t r el ow ,
M i d A m er i c a S t . L u k e’ s
overall patient satisfaction.
Patients
also
appreciate
the
opportunity to serve on the council. One
Levine Cancer Institute Patient Advisor
said, “One of the many ways that
cancer–or
any
catastrophic
illness–impacts you is that it robs you of
control. For me, an integral part of my
recovery (both physical and emotional)
has been regaining that control, turning
the table on my cancer by using what
I’ve learned and experienced to try to
help others. Having a voice and sharing
my journey has allowed me to feel that
it has served a purpose.”
Because the Joint Commission inquires
about Patient and Family Advisory
councils during hospital site visits,
hospitals all over the world have
adopted this concept. Studies show their
implementation has helped to positively
change the culture, reduce errors and
adverse events, increase patient loyalty,
reduce the risk of malpractice, increase
teammate satisfaction, and improve
financial performance.
We are excited to be embarking on
this strategy with our first tentative start
date set for October 2014. These are
the efforts that continue to set us apart
and promote our core values of caring,
commitment, integrity and teamwork.
C o n t r i bu t i n g E d i t o r
A d m i n i s t r a t i ve M a t t e r s
J on G a r d n er ,
C en t u r a
C o n t r i bu t i n g E d i t o r
Research & Evidence Practice
L i n d a P a x t on ,
C h i p p en h a m J oh n s t on W i l l i s
A d ve r t i s i n g D i r e c t o r
S ea n M c E l g u n n ,
V P C or p or a t e R el a t i on s
Managing Editor
K u r t J en s en ,
C om m u n i c a t i on s D i r ec t or