Principles of Family-Centered Care

Family-Centered Care Explained

Family-centered care is based on the understanding that the family plays a vital role for the well-being and health of our patients. Therefore we want to develop partnerships between the health care team and the family to meet the needs of our patients. Families have important information to share with the team that will benefit the quality and safety of the treatment, and help us to advance our programs, facilities, and systems.

We seek to practice the principles of family-centered care in everything we do. Below are the core principles we incorporate into our care for your child and support of your family.

Core concepts of family-centered care

Dignity and Respect - Health care practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. Patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.
Information Sharing - Health care practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families receive timely, complete, and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.
Participation - Patients and families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.
Collaboration - Patients and families are also included on an institution-wide basis. Health care leaders collaborate with patients and families in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in health care facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.

Values of Family Centered Care

We seek to integrate “FAMILIES," the following principles of family-centered care into our practice of medicine:

F	Facilitate family/professional collaboration
A	Appreciate families as families
M	Methods of coping are recognized and respected
I	Incorporate into practice that the family is the constant in a child’s life
L	Link family-identified needs to hospital/support systems that are flexible, accessible and comprehensive
I	Individuality of families’ cultural and religious beliefs is honored
E	Exchange complete and unbiased information
S	Support between family to family is encouraged and facilitated

Family-Centered Care Initiatives

Family Advisory Council Members

Family Advisory Council
A number of family members with experience at the hospital meet monthly in the Family Advisory Council. They:

Give input about the delivery of services for children and families
Provide feedback about relevant policies and procedures
Assist in planning for new facilities and services
Participate in the education of health care professionals and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles personnel

We very much value the voices of these different family members and their participation in our healthcare delivery.

Family Centered Care Committee
The Family Centered Care Committee consists of staff of the interdisciplinary team, Administration, and family members. It seeks to implement family centered care practices throughout the hospital.

Patient and Family Education Committee
Interdisciplinary staff and some family members participate in this committee. It is the mission of the committee to make materials about medical conditions and resources available to our patients and families in a way that is understandable and sensitive to the cultural diversity represented in our patient population.

More Information
Visit the Institute for Family Centered Care online.