Inova Patient and Family Advisory Councils

Inova's Eastern Region PFAC is composed of both Inova Alexandria and Inova Mount Vernon Hospitals. They serve as a forum for recent patients and their loved ones to collaborate and actively participate in discussions, contribute ideas, and provide feedback on various aspects of care such as patient education, facility design and communication strategies that impact a patient’s experience while in the hospital. The goal of the Eastern Region PFAC is to center decision-making processes around the voices and needs of our Eastern Region community.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent patients of Inova Alexandria Hospital (IAH) or Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (IMVH) and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with hospital team members, and collaborating with hospital leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the first Thursday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Played a pivotal role in the successful Inova system-wide launch of the Mytonomy Project by offering valuable feedback and suggestions during its early development stages
• Provided feedback to assist in addressing an important patient safety issue concerning the removal of bathroom locks in patient rooms across the system
• Collaborated with the inpatient rehabilitation team at Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital on various initiatives, including the development of a Patient Roadmap and the enhancement of patient signage to better educate patients on fall precautions and associated risks

The emergency department and adult inpatient services PFAC at Inova Fairfax Hospital is a forum to collect valuable feedback and perspectives to help ensure we deliver exceptional care to all our patients and their families.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent adult patients of Inova Fairfax Hospital and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with hospital team members, and collaborating with hospital leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the third Thursday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Strengthened the partnership between patients and team members by actively engaging in both Patient Experience Week and Nurses Week activities
• Worked closely with unit secretaries to share valuable patient perspectives and enhance responsiveness across care teams
• Shared personal experiences and provided insights into successful strategies in fall prevention, helping improve patient education and safety during inpatient stays

At Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH), we value the voice of our patients and their families as integral in shaping the healthcare experience. Our Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) thrives on the diverse perspectives of our members, who reflect the vibrant community we have the privilege to serve. As an IFOH community member, we warmly invite you to join us in this fulfilling endeavor. You will get to offer feedback on both existing and future initiatives. Your unique insights are crucial in contributing to our goal of patient-centered care. Let’s make a difference together! 

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent adult patients of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with hospital team members, and collaborating with hospital leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the second Thursday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Collaborated with clinical leadership to redesign the patient education medication “Side-effect Sheet,” enhancing the clarity of information and improving its usability. This initiative had a broader impact, leading to its adoption across multiple care sites. As one clinical leader remarked, “An outstanding coordinated effort with the potential to become a success story in transforming patient medication education!” 
• Evaluated front-facing patient/family communique guiding visitation and etiquette of semi-private rooms, with a focus on scripting and visual messaging 
• Assessed a newly launched health system electronic patient education resource. Shared user experience on written content and videography
• Refined the Inova Patient Family Advisory Council webpage content to support Inova's brand image and reflect members' values
• Consulted on health system responsible use of health data resulting in certification by the Joint Commission

The Inova Women's Services PFAC, implemented in June 2023, aims to bring patients and family members together who have experienced services that are included under the women’s services umbrella. We seek to grow this group with community members who can provide perspective and constructive feedback on the unique experiences encountered through Inova Women’s Services.

Current prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have experienced a women’s service and their family members (services can include but are not limited to annual well-woman care, perinatal care and childbirth experiences, gynecology, gynecologic and/or breast cancer care, and gynecologic surgery)
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet quarterly (meeting day and time varies based on group availability)

Our recent accomplishments:

• Collaborated closely with the Strategic Planning and Business Development team to provide valuable input and insights for Inova’s Comprehensive Women's Strategic Planning project, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and patient-centered care initiatives
• Offered expert guidance on developing a streamlined process for preparing post-partum patients for discharge as part of a pilot project at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, focusing on improving patient education, satisfaction, and continuity of care

The path our patients experience once diagnosed with cancer is incredibly important, yet complex. The Inova Schar Cancer PFAC aims to bring forth the voice of our patients and family members experiencing life with cancer. The council has and continues to contribute significantly to improvements made across Inova’s oncology services.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have received cancer care and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the fourth Thursday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Offered strategic feedback and support for the Inova Center for Personalized Health Valet Relocation project, contributing insights to enhance the project’s alignment with patient needs and operational efficiency
• Delivered both virtual and in-person storytelling sessions for New Patient Coordinators, offering valuable insights into the patient experience and providing a deeper understanding of patient perspectives to improve patient-centered care

Inova’s Sickle Cell PFAC brings together individuals experiencing sickle cell, an inherited blood disorder. Given the challenging management of this condition, we seek to bring together community members who receive care through Inova for sickle cell. By elevating your unique experience and challenges, we can work together to find meaningful solutions and improve our care delivery. This group was chartered in January 2023 and is hoping to expand in the years to come.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have received sickle cell care and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts

The Inova Behavioral Health PFAC aims to improve the experience of our inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services through the unique perspectives our advisors share with us. While engaging with hospital and system leaders on patient experience initiatives, the group advocates for this patient population throughout Inova and in the community.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have received inpatient or outpatient behavioral health care and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts

Our recent accomplishments:

• Assisted with a critical patient safety update regarding the Stanley Brown Safety Plan across the Behavioral Health Service Line, ensuring timely and effective resolution
• Offered valuable insights on the current Depression Care Model, focusing on the best ways to present information to adolescent, adult, and postpartum patients
• Provided key feedback on the "Know Where to Go" Guide to Behavioral Services, which outlines three levels of care based on patient needs and crisis severity

The PFAC for Spanish-Speaking Patients was established in May 2023. This is a forum that allows us to engage and receive input from patients and families who speak Spanish and use these insights to enhance the experience of our diverse patient population.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova adult patients who speak Spanish and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the third Thursday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Provided valuable insights on improving the patient experience during hallway boarding, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ensuring respectful and empathetic care
• Contributed important recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of trio rounding, focusing on improving communication and patient-centered care
• Raised awareness and shared understanding of the protected health information policy, with a special focus on the impact of accurate translation in ensuring patient confidentiality and care

The Inova Schar Heart and Vascular PFAC is comprised of dedicated individuals who have firsthand experience as patients or family members in heart and vascular services at Inova. The council actively participates in discussions, contributes ideas, and provides feedback on various aspects such as patient education, facility design and communication strategies. The goal of the council is to ensure that the voice of the patient is heard and considered in decision-making processes.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have received heart and vascular services and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members, and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the second Wednesday

Our recent accomplishments:

• Contributed valuable insights for the development of a Cardiovascular Step Down Unit (CVSD) Patient Information Resource
• Actively participated in the Mytonomy Focus Group, sharing their perspectives and feedback
• Offered important insights to inform the Virtual Nursing Model, enhancing its effectiveness and patient engagement
• Provided thoughtful feedback and guidance for a Pressure Injury Prevention Project, supporting improvements in patient care

The Inova Children's Parent Advisory Councils (PAC) are comprised of dedicated parents with firsthand experience within Inova’s pediatric services. The purpose of Inova’s PACs are to gain insights from parents on how we can provide the best care to our patients and families. Current PACs include the cardiac PAC, the NICU PAC and the oncology PAC.

Current/prospective members are:

• Parents and caregivers of pediatric patients who have received care at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital or Inova’s pediatric multispecialty clinic
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with hospital team members, and collaborating with hospital leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts
• Able to meet every other month on the third Wednesday or Thursday (meeting day and time may vary based on specific PAC and group availability)

Our recent accomplishments:

• Provided valuable feedback to streamline operations within the specialty clinic call center, improving response times and service quality. Offered strategic guidance on communication techniques to enhance interactions with parents and caregivers, focusing on clarity and empathy
• Provided consultation for the new children’s branding initiative, helping shape a cohesive and child-friendly image
• Partnered with Patient Advisory Council (PAC) members in chairing the StarKid 5K event, fostering community engagement and awareness
• Advised on messaging for the What Matters Most initiative, ensuring alignment with patient-centered care principles
• Offered feedback for the Child Life On Call (SupportSpot) app, enhancing its functionality to support families more effectively
• Advised on developing a sensory-friendly clinic space to accommodate children with sensory needs
• Established Pediatric Oncology PAC, creating a platform for patient-family advocacy and input in oncology care

Inova is committed to improving healthcare experiences for transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse patients. Through individual one-on-one feedback sessions, we aim to elevate the voices of the community by gathering insights, personal perspectives and constructive feedback. These conversations directly support Inova’s ongoing efforts to enhance patient experience and provide safe, high-quality care. 

This feedback opportunity differs from the other Inova PFACs. Instead of participating in bi-monthly group forums, individuals will engage in private, one-time or occasional conversations with Inova team members as opportunities arise. These discussions will focus on their personal experiences and ideas for improvements. 

We are currently inviting feedback from individuals who: 

• Are recent Inova patients who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid, gender expansive, agender, gender nonconforming, or hold another gender diverse identity
• Are aware of the unique experiences members of this community encounter within healthcare systems and are respectful of the challenges they may face
• Feel comfortable sharing their personal stories and collaborating with Inova team members and leaders to improve quality, safety and patient-centered care

If you would like to share your perspective more regularly in a group setting, we encourage you to also explore our additional PFAC opportunities.

The Ambulatory Services (Outpatient Clinics) PFAC is a newly established council dedicated to enhancing and streamlining healthcare services for patients who have experiences across multiple ambulatory care services at Inova. Our focus specialties include but are not limited to:

• Primary care
• Medicine (e.g., endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonology)
• Heart and vascular (e.g., cardiology, cardiac surgery, vascular medicine, vascular surgery)
• Surgery (e.g., gastroenterology, urology, bariatrics)
• Musculoskeletal (e.g., orthopedics, sports medicine, physical therapy)
• Women’s health (e.g., antenatal, perinatal, obstetrics and gynecology, urogynecology) 
• Neurosciences (e.g., neurology, neurosurgery)
• Cancer services

This council serves as a platform for community members to collaboratively share insights, individual perspectives and constructive feedback on Inova’s ambulatory (outpatient clinic) services. Our goal is to continuously improve our patients’ experience and ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality care.

Please note that we also have established advisory councils for specific ambulatory services including cancer, heart and vascular, and women’s health. Based on your interest, you are welcome to apply to this Ambulatory Services (Outpatient Clinics) PFAC or to one of the specialized advisory councils.

Current/prospective members are:

• Recent Inova patients who have received ambulatory care (outpatient clinic) services at Inova and their family members
• Comfortable with public speaking, sharing their personal stories, talking with Inova team members and collaborating with leaders to enhance quality, safety and patient-centered efforts