Patient and family advisors

Community advisors

Advisors are people who

• Want to help improve the quality of care for all patients and families.
• Give us feedback based on personal experiences.

• Have ideas on how to improve community health services.
• Hold thoughtful opinions about the role Hartford HealthCare should play in the community

Should you become an Advisor?

• When you or your family member was in the hospital or using other Hartford HealthCare services, did you think there were things we could have done better?
• Do you have ideas about how we can make sure other patients and families get the best care possible?
• At Hartford HealthCare, patient and family advisors give us feedback and ideas to help us improve the quality and safety of care we provide.

• Are you passionate about community health and wellness?
• Do you have ideas on addressing social determinants of health and improving communication between Hartford HealthCare and the community?
• Community advisors are an important part of how Hartford HealthCare understands how to fulfill its mission to improve the health and healing of all.

Who can be an Advisor?

• You can be a patient and family advisor if you or a family member received care at Hartford HealthCare in the last five years.
• You do not need any special qualifications. We will give you any training you need.

• You can be a community advisor if you have ideas on how to improve community health services.
• Members often come from local nonprofits, churches, or community organizations.
• Hartford HealthCare patients and their family members are encouraged to participate
• You do not need any special qualifications. We will give you any training you need.

What do Advisors do?

• Serve on a patient and family advisory council.
  Councils discuss and plan changes to improve hospital quality and safety. Members include patients, family members and hospital staff.

• Share your story.
  Advisors help by talking about healthcare experiences with clinicians, staff and other patients.

• Review or help create educational and informational materials.
  Advisors help review or create materials like forms, health information handouts and discharge instructions. Your help allows us to make these materials easier

• Work on short-term projects.
  We sometimes ask advisors to partner with us on improvement projects. An example could be helping plan and design a family resource room.

• Collaborate on projects.
  Help design and implement community-focused health initiatives, education programs, and resources that reflect the needs of local residents.

• Participate in monthly advisory meetings.
  Members of the CAC meet regularly to enhance transparency between the community and our healthcare system.

• Share community insights.
  Advisors provide feedback on health services and programs based on their knowledge and experience within the community.