Our Patient and Family Advisory Councils are a productive way for patients, families and caregivers to partner with a healthcare system to provide guidance on improving the patient and family experience.
University of Michigan Health-West has 17 active PFACs at our primary care locations and one council that encompasses our hospital based care.
Accomplishments in 2019
Primary Care PFACs
- Format of patient billing statements
- Social determinants of health screening tool
- Outpatient pre-op surgical instructions
- Use of electronic kiosk check-in at practice sites
- Community feedback provided to the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
UM Health-West Hospital PFAC
- Television programming in the ED triage area was changed as members thought it may contribute to anxiety, pain and discomfort of patients and family members
- Participation at the Farmer’s Market as a way to give back and recruit new members
- Lighting in the main hospital lobby was increased due to concern that it was too dark after hours for waiting families.
- Patient privacy concerns around the potential removal of inpatient privacy curtains
- Implementation of a kiosk that offers basic needs for visitors (e.g. phone chargers, Tylenol, etc.)
- The need for a Gift Shop
- Clean up of the cigarette butts by the bus stop and professional building. This is now part of our lawn care services.
- Health literacy review and recommendations for both the “Understanding Concussion and Mild Head Injury” brochure and pharmacy patient educational materials
- Set visiting hours were removed from policies thus eliminating the overhead announcement. This allows for a more personalized plan of care.