Are you passionate about improving the patient experience and making a difference at UF Health Jacksonville? Are you a good communicator who enjoys being part of a team? If so, the Patient and Family Partnership Council for Quality and Safety is currently looking for additional employee and patient/family members. Council members play an important role at UF Health Jacksonville. They not only provide valuable insight to various hospital committees that solicit their input, but also participate in projects to improve quality, safety and the patient experience.

As of November 2023, six employees and seven patient/family members volunteer their time on the council. A recent project demonstrated the contribution these volunteers make to the organization. To better understand the patient experience, the council used monthly scores from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or HCAHPS, which is a national, publicly reported survey of how patients perceive hospital care. The scores indicated that nurse communication is a key driver of the patient experience, as these frontline workers interact most with our patients.

With that information, in 2023, the council focused on improving nurse communication by implementing quarterly awards to recognize units that met or exceeded the hospital’s goal for HCAHPS scores in communication. In addition, members helped a nursing unit to improve communication by attending their staff huddles and speaking about the patient experience surveys and how nurses impact the scores. They also recorded a video that included information about nurse communication and patient stories that demonstrated how nurses made a difference in the patient experience.

Patients and their family members may learn more and apply at UFHJax.org/PartnershipCouncil. Employees can find information and apply on the Bridge under the Collaboration tab. Once applications have been reviewed, candidates will complete an interview process before being selected. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, 5:30-7 p.m.

Email PartnershipCouncil@jax.ufl.edu for more information.