What does patient-centered care really mean?

Often times, in healthcare, the system is too organized around the needs of the institution, and we lose sight of what is important – providing competent, coordinated and compassionate care. For some, their visit to Orange Regional Medical Center may be the first time they’ve set foot in a hospital as a patient. While they are with us, we have the responsibility of “caring for patients as if they were family”. That’s what we mean by patient-centered care. If you are not certain what that phrase means, just ask yourself, “how would I want another healthcare provider to treat my grandmother, father, spouse or child?” The answer will often be the patient-centered thing to do.

Whether you work in a clinical area or a support department, you should always be thinking of what you can do today to make our patients’ visit the best it can be.
If you come in contact with several patients throughout the day, remember it’s probably their first contact with you or your area of responsibility. First impressions last a lifetime.

We want our patients to feel acknowledged, whether having an outpatient test or as an inpatient with a diagnosed illness. We should anticipate our patients’ needs or questions and show them compassion. Patients should always be informed about their care and when they can expect new information regarding their health.

We want our patients to return home safe and with their needs met during their most vulnerable time. It is our responsibility as healthcare professionals to provide the highest quality healthcare as we strive for excellence and redefine the region’s healthcare for generations to come. Let’s all work together to make this happen.