Transforming Patient Safety: How PFACs can revolutionize safety initiatives

Press Ganey’s Tejal Gandhi, MD, MPH, CPPS, Chief Safety and Transformation Officer, and Samaritan Health Services’ Margaret Mikula, MD, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer and Laurie Simpson, CPXP, AVP High Reliability, discuss how Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) can transform patient safety and drive high reliability.   

The session will describe how Samaritan Health Services is using PFAC programs to actively engage patient and families in safety initiatives. Discover how the organization has successfully integrated PFAC members into Root Cause Analyses (RCA), Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Committees, and even created a Patient Seal of Approval to ensure patient voices shape critical safety decisions. 

After attending, you will:

• Understand the impact of PFACs – Learn how incorporating patient and family advisors into safety initiatives strengthens a hospital’s high reliability journey. 
• Explore practical applications – Discover how Samaritan effectively engages PFAC members in RCA, HAC Committees, and decision-making processes to drive meaningful change. 
• Apply lessons to your organization – Gain insights into meeting PSSM requirements with PFACs and other patient-centered strategies to elevate safety and quality.