Untapped Potential: Engaging in Meaningful Client and Family Partnerships to Drive High-Quality, Safe Care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Patient Safety
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Healthcare organizations increasingly seek to involve patients and families in quality and safety initiatives.
• Traditional accreditation preparation often lacks deep, formalized patient and family partnership.
• Holland Bloorview aimed to enhance its quality and safety framework through meaningful collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an innovative framework integrating family and youth leaders into hospital accreditation preparation.
• To demonstrate how equal partnership can drive quality and safety improvements.
• To highlight the establishment and function of the Family Leader Accreditation Group (FLAG).

Main Methods:

• Development of a formalized committee: the Family Leader Accreditation Group (FLAG).
• Equal partnership between hospital staff and 17 family and youth leaders (FLs).
• Collaborative meetings to update and share quality and safety initiatives during accreditation preparedness.

Main Results:

• Successful integration of 17 family and youth leaders into the accreditation process.
• Establishment of a functioning committee (FLAG) fostering equal partnership.
• Demonstrated advancement in quality and safety initiatives through collaborative efforts.

Conclusions:

• Formalized integration of family and youth leaders significantly enhances healthcare quality and safety preparation.
• The FLAG model provides a replicable framework for deep client and family engagement.
• Collaborative partnerships are crucial for driving meaningful improvements in healthcare settings.