(103) Patients and family partners can become leaders on their quality improvement teams

Thursday, November 3, 2022

12:45 PM – 1:25 PM ET

Presenting Author(s)

Bean Corcoran

PFP/QIL
Morgan Stanley NY Presbitarian Hospital
Weston, Connecticut, United States

Co-Author(s)

LF

Lily Friedman, MPH, RDN, CDN

Registered Dietitian
Sue & John L. Weinberg Cystic Fibrosis Center
New York, New York, United States
Golnar Raissi

Naturopathic physician
Columbia University
Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Rebecca Kowal, MSN, RN

CF Nurse Coordinator
The NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s CF Center
New York, New York, United States
Winsome Sewell

Social Worker
The NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s CF Center
New York, New York, United States
VP

Victoria Piane

Nurse Practitioner, Sue & John L. Weinberg Cystic Fibrosis Center
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, United States
JE

Janerisa Encarnacion

Patient Family Partner, United States
AM

Annette Maiberger

United States
HS

Hossein Sadeghi, MD

Director, Sue and John L. Weinberg Cystic Fibrosis Center
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States

Background: Patient and family partners (PFPs) collaborate with their Cystic Fibrosis (CF) center’s healthcare team to provide their perspective and improve patient’s health and overall care. PFPs can rise to the level of Quality Improvement Leader (QIL) on the team which requires open dialogue, support of team members, and participation in the PFP workgroup. The CF Center at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) is located in New York, New York and Stamford, Connecticut. This center’s Quality Improvement (QI) team consists of two PFPs, a lead physician, a Registered Nurse, a Nurse Practitioner, two Social Workers, a Registered Dietitian, and an Integrative Medicine physician. As a team, they meet weekly for an hour to collaborate on QI.

Methods: A PFP formed a relationship with the lead CF physician who cared for the PFP’s child. This person became the CF care team’s PFP in 2017 when CUMC joined the Cystic Fibrosis Learning Network (CFLN). They began attending the PFP workgroup meetings held each month to learn about QI tools, privacy requirements, and team meeting protocols in addition to filling out the monthly required PFP ladder of engagement survey (Figure 1). The QI team members, including the PFP, joined the Quality Improvement Measurement Intensive (QIMI) meetings to learn QI techniques necessary to advance their work. The team reported revisions of their Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) to the CFLN on a weekly basis and completed all required surveys.

Results: As the PFP took on more responsibilities in their role, they become more comfortable assuming a greater leadership position on the team. By 2019, the QI team expanded when it promoted two team members (the PFP and the Integrative Medicine physician) to the roles of Co-Quality Improvement Leaders as a way to better assist the lead physician in accomplishing their goals. As a QIL, the PFP assisted the team in producing PDSA cycles for four initiatives, sent weekly reminders including dates and times of upcoming CFLN engagements and expectations, kept the QI team focused, and helped new team members and another PFP understand their roles all while showing frequent gratitude to team members for the exceptional work they do for the CF community. Through teamwork and communication, this team has accomplished many of their QI goals. In 2021, the team published four abstracts on which the PFPs were co-authored for the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC).

Conclusions: By being part of a team that encourages a collaborative environment that fosters autonomy and growth, a PFP can rise to the position of QIL in the CFLN. Attending monthly PFP workgroups, collaborating with teammates, and showing leadership skills are all necessary components to being a valuable member of the QI team. Encouraging more PFPs to take on leadership positions on their QI teams is a necessary component to making the greatest impact possible on CF-related patient-care.

Acknowledgements: Cystic Fibrosis Learning Network

CF Foundation grant

References: