Children’s Hospital of Illinois believes in total patient care.  As a premier children’s healthcare provider, we address the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the pediatric patient and their family based on three guiding principles:

• Children are unique and have special needs,
• A child’s illness impacts the entire family, and
• Childhood illness or injury can interfere with normal childhood growth and development

Patient and Family Centered Care

Children’s Hospital of Illinois promotes a culture that embraces Patient and Family- Centered Care. The core concepts of Patient and Family Centered Care are:

• Dignity and Respect. 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. 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.

Patient and Family-Centered accomplishments include the formation of a Family Advisory Board (2002) and Patient Advisory Board (2004), development of a Family Resource Center, and ongoing education and training of staff on Patient and Family-Centered Care.