Consumer participation on a family-centered care committee

Changes within the complex bureaucracy of a hospital can be difficult, and it usually occurs in increments. To be successful, a change in attitude must occur. Essential to effecting change is the creation of a shared philosophy. One of the changes in perinatal health care recommended by the Interprofessional Task Force on Health Care of Women and Children was the formation of a hospital committee on family-centered care that included representatives from the community. The mission of tis committee was to develop, implement, and regularly evaluate the hospital's family-centered care program; such a committee is described below.