PFACs actively lead and support initiatives that enhance the patient, family and caregiver experience and promote health literacy and health equity, including:

• The Ninfa Project – Named after one of our founding PFAs, this project improves patient awareness and use of pharmacy services.
• Glossary for Patients – Created a plain-language glossary of health care terms for patients, families and caregivers.
• PFCC Training Development – Co-designed training for team members and community members on Patient- and Family-Centered Care principles.
• Inclusive Hair Care – Helped implement more inclusive hair care options for all inpatient units.
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Recruitment Pilot – Developed strategies to support patient recruitment through electronic medical records.
• SaludArte Contributions – Created original artwork for our healing arts collection.
• Pediatric Comfort – Sewed and donated comfort blankets for hospitalized children.
• Dementia-Friendly Events – Hosted inclusive events for patients and caregivers impacted by dementia.

• 2020 National Partnership Award
  Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care. Project: Nosotros: Extended Compassion in Hard Times project, Addressed food insecurity among vulnerable patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Student Research Collaboration
  Ready to collaborate? Medical learner experience in interprofessional collaborative practice settings

• 2021 IHI National Forum – Guest Speaker
  Topic: “Partnering to Improve Perioperative Care in Total Joint Surgery”

• 2022 IHI National Forum – Poster Presentation
  Topic: “Improving Comfort and Hospitality in the Emergency Department Waiting Room”

• 2019 UT Health Distinction in Research Week – Poster Presentation
  Topic: “Using Design Thinking to Improve Inpatient Care”

• 15th Annual AAMC Workforce Conference – Poster Presentation
  Topic: “Design Thinking to Improve Patient Experience”

PFACs serve as full partners on important system committees:

• DAISY Awards Committee
• Bioethics Committee

PFACs offer valuable feedback to improve tools, processes and services, including:

• UH Go App usability and features
• Wellness exam visits and patient flow
• Senior medication education strategies
• Patient welcome packets
• Patient discharge summaries
• Inpatient meal options for dietary needs
• Asthma follow-up care through Region 20 collaborations

A patient and family advisory council (PFAC) is a committee of current and former patients, family members and caregivers, providers, staff and administrators that works together to advance best practices at a hospital or health care system.

Volunteer patients, families and caregivers collaborate with employees (clinical, administrative and support) and community partners to provide guidance on how to better identify the needs of a patient population and bring patients and clinicians views closer together.

The PFAC is a vital asset of University Health. Its mission is to foster meaningful and purposeful collaboration among patients, families, caregivers, providers, staff and administrators to ensure the continued provision of high quality, compassionate care for our community.

University Health fundamentally believes that patients, families and caregivers should be active partners working together to improve health care policies, programs and day-to-day practices within our health care system. It is based on the following key principles developed by the Institute for Patient-and Family Centered Care (IPFCC). 

Patient- and family-centered care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients and families.

• Respect and Dignity. 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, families, health care practitioners and health care leaders collaborate in policy and program development, implementation and evaluation; in facility design; in professional education; and in research; as well as in the delivery of care. (IPFCC)

A Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) is someone who:

• Has a strong desire to improve the quality of care for all patients and their family members
• Shares their own experiences as a patient, family member or caregiver at University Health or within any healthcare system, and provides constructive feedback based on their experience(s)
• Actively participates in planning of processes and procedures that improve patient care and/or patient experience and commits to full participation in assigned projects
• Attends scheduled monthly meetings at assigned PFAC location

PFAs voluntarily provide a community voice for current and former patients, family members and caregivers at University Health or within any health care system. Their unique perspectives are invaluable in ensuring a supportive environment for all patients, families and caregivers who come through our doors.

All PFAs are trained in patient-and family-centered care core concepts and commit to a 1- or 2-year membership term.

A PFAC is a council made up of PFAs, providers, staff, administrators and community partners. PFAC members provide advice to University Health so improvements can be made to help other patients, families and caregivers. This is done by taking part in regular meetings on the PFACs as well as by helping out on committees and working groups.

The PFAC does not take on the cause of a specific patient, family member, caregiver or a special interest group. It is important to remember that the PFAC provides advice to University Health and does not have the final say about how services are delivered.

Each PFAC meets 10 times per year. Meetings are usually held late in the afternoon so members who work are able to attend. Members will also be asked to help on committees, workgroups or special projects as needed.

There are presently four PFACs: Inpatient PFAC, Ambulatory PFAC, Women’s Health Services & Pediatric PFAC and a Senior Services PFAC.

Staff are highly encouraged to join any of our current PFACs. If you are interested in joining, please complete an application by clicking here.

By reading this PFAC FAQ, you have taken the first steps to becoming a member. You may nominate a member or self-nominate by clicking here.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the PFAC or have additional questions, please contact PFAC@uhtx.com or call our main office line at 210-358-7176.