Family Centered Care

At Harper University Hospital, we want our patients and their families to be fully engaged in patient care. Our Family Centered Care program is a new approach to the planning, delivery and coordination of health care that is based on partnerships between health care providers, patients and families.

How it Works
Upon admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), up to two family members will be asked to identify themselves as spokesperson(s) for the patient. These spokesperson(s) will have access to their loved one 24 hours a day. In addition, the spokesperson(s) will be given wrist bands that identify them and grant them access to the ICU. Once the patient is transferred out of the ICU, visiting hours will resume to hospital established visitation hours.

The Spokesperson’s Role
The spokesperson(s) will be the primary representatives for the patient and will be eligible to meet with the physician team. Spokesperson(s) will be responsible for sharing patient update information from the physicians with other family members. The spokesperson(s) will be contacted for valuable patient information that may include obtaining a consent for a procedure, or, in the event of an emergency.  The on-staff ICU physicians are available daily during rounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to update the spokesperson(s) regarding the patient’s condition. Requests for meetings with spokesperson(s) and other family members can be arranged at mutually agreed upon times with the physicians. After hours, an ICU physician or health care team member can respond to the spokespersons’ concerns upon request.  Family Centered Care makes the family an important partner with our ICU health care team when caring for your loved one.