Patient feedback provides focal point for future of care at KGH

It cannot be denied that Kingston General Hospital has received some less-than-favourable feedback over the years. Now, hospital officials are looking to connect with the public in order to better understand the needs of patients and ultimately implement programs and practices that will be as effective as possible.

On the evening of Nov. 10, KGH held a public event called Patients Know Best, which saw members from the hospital’s Patient Advisory Council, formed in February of 2010, speak about their own experiences at the hospital and how they are helping to shape the future of care delivered there.

“Input from patients is critical to how we make improvements in hospital settings and for the whole experience of patients,” said KGH Vice President for Clinical Administration and Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer Eleanor Rivoire.

Advisor Lidia Dorosz gave a heart-felt account of what it was like to witness her mother be neglected, often to the point of abuse, by nursing staff at the hospital as she lived her final days.

“I am a council member because I want to make a difference,” she said. “I want to hold people accountable…it’s time that we (are able) to feel safe about going to KGH.”

Overall, Dorosz said [...] continue the story

“Listening to the Patient Voice” – a Planetree story

I’ve long been surprised that Planetree.org is not better known by everyone who talks about patient-centered care, patient engagement, etc. I attended one of their webcasts in April and wrote about a great booklet they discussed.

I’m taking the liberty of pasting in here an item from their latest e-newsletter, because it illustrates how they think and how things unfold as a result. __________

Listening to the Patient Voice How It’s Done at Platte Valley Medical Center

Including patients and families in the development of a truly patient-centered care experience formally took shape at Platte Valley Medical Center in 2008 with the formation of the hospital’s community focus group. Staff from clinical and non-clinical departments volunteer and are trained to participate in an interactive process to listen and respond to patients’ feedback through quarterly care-centered interviews. To date, we have completed eight sessions. Testimonies are then used to assist with critical problem solving, program development, and measure successes. Concrete action steps, developed with the patient and family, are used for house-wide staff training. Through a video presentation and newsletter, entitled The Patients’ Voice, hospital staff is invited to “Munch and Learn” sessions to hear patients’ stories and apply what they learn to their daily work.

Lessons Learned from our [...] continue the story

The Best Medicine? | Metro News

Patient Commando gets the blood pumping with a big dose of its laughter therapy program. The non-profit group helps support those with chronic disease, in severe pain.

They’re not sick jokes, but rather jokes for the sick.

A new, non-profit company called Patient Commando is making sure that stories about health struggles — both sad and funny — get told and listened to. Laughter therapy has long been known as a powerful tool to release tension and get the blood pumping more efficiently.

In Patient Commando’s promotional video, a comedic actor spoofs everyone’s worst hospital nightmare.

Donning his hat, socks and shoes, he tries to make a dignified exit, but his hospital gown isn’t done up and his bare bum jiggles hilariously for all to see.

Comic relief — through laugh therapy and live theatre shows — is one of the ways that Patient Commando helps support people who have chronic disease, terminal disease or are suffering from bereavement.

The company also encourages people to tell their stories. “I’m interested in the expression of the story,” says Toronto founder of Patient Commando Zal Press.

“Listen to the patient voice.”

Press himself has struggled with the painful symptoms of Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the intestines, for 30 years. “It feels [...] continue the story

The Kaizen Crossroad: I Laughed at Cancer

When work entails promoting a comedic, slightly-controversial, theatrical event called Cancer Can’t Dance Like This, and you have yet to see it, one can’t help but feel some trepidation.

Once again Jillian Rodak shines a spotlight on her experience on working with Patient Commando and her review of a night that pulled back the curtains on Daniel Stolfi’s experience with the big C.

We invite you to read Jillian’s latest post here

http://kaizencrossroad.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-laughed-at-cancer.html