Alberta Health Services is implementing a plan over the next three years that is aimed at involving people in their own care and improving communication between patients and their health care providers.
The Patient First Strategy encourages patients and their families to get involved in their own care using a team-based approach.
“The Patient First Strategy gives patients, clients and families a central place by which decisions are made and represents the commitment from Alberta Health Services to improving the patient experience by focusing on priorities and values of the people we serve. Through this strategy, AHS will enhance our team-based approach to care, improve coordination and continuity of care during times of transition and improve communications between, patients, families and their health care providers,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, Vice President Quality & Chief Medical Officer.
“Alberta Health Services has been through many changes since its inception and the result has often brought uncertainty and disruption to patient delivery. So I want to reassure you today that our government is committed to ensuring that the fatigue of change comes to an end. We want to make the structure that has already been in place the very best it can be,” said Sarah Hoffman, Alberta Health Minister.
AHS says it consulted with more than 300 Albertans, service providers and stakeholders to identify priorities to provide patient and family centered care in a consistent and standardized way.
“So what worked for them, what didn’t work for them, and what changes would they like to see from Alberta Health Services,” said Vickie Kaminski, AHS President and CEO. ”Through this consultation and review process, it became clear that Albertans want to be engaged as full partners in their own care and they want care that focuses on their own individual health needs, helps them get better when they need care the most and supports them as they strive to stay healthy.”
The plan identifies four priority actions including:
- Empower patients and families to be active members of their health care teams by encouraging them to ask questions and raise concerns, and while respecting patient and family values, needs and preferences
- Improve communications at all levels to ensure that care plans are fully understood by all parties and that pertinent patient information is shared among all members of the care team
- Further enhance a team-based approach to care that provides patients and families comprehensive and seamless health care experiences
- Improve co-ordination and continuity of care when patients move between units or facilities.
Officials say that research shows a family centered approach to care reduces the length of time patients spend in hospital, improves patient experiences and leads to better patient outcomes.
The plan has already been implemented in some health care facilities in the province.
At the South Health Campus in Calgary, staff now introduce themselves by their name, occupation and duty and the site has eliminated visiting hours, allowing family to stay overnight on most inpatient units to provide comfort to patients.
“The South Health Campus represents a new way of engaging with patients, families and the surrounding community,” said Kaminski. “The facility began its phased opening 2012 and, right from the start, it was clear this is a place where patients and families come first.”
AHS officials say they would like to hear from people who have good experiences and also those who felt they were not put first.
“Health care providers know what’s the best health treatment option, it may not be the best family or patient option. It may be that there’s circumstances that make it untenable and we need to listen to that,” said Kaminski.
For more information on The Patient First Strategy, visit the AHS website HERE.
