Patient Center »Patient and Family Support »Patient and Family Advisory Council

A sampling of accomplishments of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) include:

• Orientation - Incorporating principles of patient- and family-centered care into monthly orientation for new employees and volunteers.
• Provided input for the Inpatient Handbook - Patient Family Advisory Council members critiqued the booklet and provided pointers and recommendations regarding content and usability during development of a handbook.
• Co-Presenter at Nursing Education Sessions - PFAC members provided in-services to the nursing staff on the concept of PFCC. They will host bi-annual in-services to this staff.
• Co-Presenter and Medical Staff Education Sessions - PFAC members provided in-services to the nursing staff on the concept of PFCC. They will host bi-annual in-services to this staff.
• Board of Directors Committee - Patient Family Advisory Council presented goals and objectives to Fox Chase Cancer Center Board of Directors. The "Council" reports directly to the board yearly.
• Conducted Walkabout Activity with Health Literacy Committee members- PFAC teamed up with a staff person from our Health Literacy Committee and conducted a "Walkabout" exercise. This exercise is intended to identify health literacy barriers that may exist in the physical environment of Fox Chase and could interfere with a patient's ability to navigate the facility.
• Provided Input of the new Survivor Button for patients
• Website- Patient and Family Advisory Council members were instrumental in creating and developing the new PFAC website.
• Breast Navigation website - Patient and Family Council members provided input for patient and family-friendly navigation and terminology
• Volunteering in "patient navigator" program to escort and provide directions to patients and visitors throughout the Cancer Center
• Advisor input and participation on various hospital committees and meetings
• Created a Video on the concept of PFCC at FCCC

Committee Representation

• EPEC Committee
• PFAC Committee
• Patient Safety Committee
• Medical Ethics Committee
• Community Advisor Council
• Health Literacy Committee

The Patient and Family Advisory Council is also developing a variety of initiatives, Including:

• Incorporating principles of patient- and family-centered care into orientation for new employees and volunteers;
• Teaching about patient and family centered care in the Combined Experienced Nurse Orientation for RN's and LPN's;
• Incorporating principles of patient- and family- centered care into the code of conduct job descriptions, and behavioral expectations to be used to evaluate staff;
• Implementing changes in medical staff/nursing education to include patient and family centered care in the curriculum and to include patient/family advisors as family faculty.
• Ways to create partnerships between professionals and patient/family advisors.
• Monthly Recruitment/Hospitality Tea Hour- Beginning in the fall Patient and Family Council Members participate in monthly informal staff afternoon tea sessions to promote PFAC program.