Community Voices Enhance the Hospital Experience

Greenwich, CT (August 6, 2018) – Greenwich Hospital has established a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) to encourage patients and families to be active participants in improving the delivery of care.

“As a vital part of the community, it’s essential for Greenwich Hospital to hear feedback from our neighbors,” said Debi D’Alba, the interim leader of the hospital’s Patient and Guest Relations department who also serves as PFAC chair.

The Council consists of patients, family members and hospital staff from Connecticut and New York working together to assure compassionate, high-quality care for patients, explained D’Alba. “We want to incorporate the patient/family perspective into the hospital’s decision-making process. Their experiences can help us improve our role as the region’s trusted health partner,” she said. Fifty-three percent of Greenwich Hospital’s patients live in New York.

While still in its infancy, the Council has already made an impact, including tweaking hospital communications to make them more patient-friendly and improving the way patients accessed the location of a temporary CT scan.

Nancy James of Stamford agreed to become an advisor after her positive patient experience. “It’s valuable to have input from patients and family, whether they had a good experience or not,” she said. “Feedback can help create change where needed.”

Dave Cifferelli brings a unique perspective to the Council as a longtime Greenwich Hospital employee and a former patient at Yale New Haven Hospital.

“Healthcare professionals can sometimes lose sight of a patient’s perceptions because they are so focused on their work,” said Cifferelli, the hospital’s Nuclear Medicine manager. “Our hope is to get people involved in the coordination of their care so we can better serve patients.”

The Council wants to expand its membership. Community residents, former patients and family members interested in participating can contact Patient & Guest Relations at 203-863-4749.