Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics integrates the principles of patient- and family-centered care into everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that our system honors, empowers, and respects the central role of the family by recognizing them as the constant in a child's life.

Patient- and family-centered care is characterized by a collaborative approach to care giving and decision-making. The family and the staff respect the knowledge, skills, and experience that the other brings to health care decisions. The family and health care team work together to develop the treatment plan and a transition plan to adult systems of care.

Why Children's Mercy Focuses on Patient- and Family-Centered Care:

We recognize that the family plays a vital role for the well-being and health of the patient. Families have important information to share with the health care team that will benefit the quality and safety of the treatment, and help advance programs, facilities, and systems.

Children's Mercy Supports the Key Elements of Patient- and Family-Centered Care:

• Dignity and Respect. Our health care practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. Patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.
• Information Sharing. Our health care practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families receive timely, complete and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.
• Participation. Patients and families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.
• Collaboration. Patients and families are also included on an institution-wide basis. Health care leaders collaborate with patients and families in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in health care facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.