Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

Group Therapy In Session Sitting In A Circle

 

View and fill out the PFAC Interest Questionnaire

Patient and Family Advisory Council 

Patients and their families are at the heart of what Siteman does, and to understand their needs, they need to have a voice. That is why the leaders of Siteman Cancer Center and BJC worked together and started the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), as an opportunity to hear patients and caregivers’ input on oncology services and initiatives.  

Establishing PFAC was a thoughtful process and leadership invested over a year to establish a clear mission, vision, goals for the group and to begin recruiting members. The result was a mission-driven group of patients and caregivers as well as employees who work in oncology-related departments. The PFAC has been an active and essential part of Siteman’s work since 2011.  

PFAC has woven itself into all that Siteman does. PFAC members and their efforts continuously make Siteman a better place for patients and their loved ones to receive their care and a better place for our experts to work. 

PFAC’s Impact

PFAC members influence policy and messages for Siteman patients and their families. Some notable early work of the group includes: 

  • Reviewing the overnight visitor policy
  • Establishing the Distress Measurement Pilot Committee 
  • Implementing the Distress Screening at most of Siteman’s clinical practices within Radiation Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology 
  • Collaborating on construction for the Siteman – South County building  
  • Promoting awareness of PFAC to BJC leadership through video media 
  • Renaming a program “Siteman Counseling Service” to replace the former Psycho-Oncology  

PFAC’s Work to Create Therapeutic Spaces 

A key way PFAC has made a difference for patients and their loved ones is through collaborating on campus renewal projects like new building construction. Many members of PFAC have been patients or caregivers or work directly in oncology care. They bring that specific and unique perspective to how buildings can be designed to anticipate and meet needs of people with cancer.  

Frequently PFAC is asked to advise on finishes for a Siteman building, giving input on fabrics, interior colors, furniture as well as room set up and floor layout and outdoor green spaces. After seeing early blueprints of Parkview Tower, PFAC advocated for a revision that addressed an oversight: the need for a quiet, private space for workers working with admitted patients. The requested change would allow oncology care team members to step away if they needed. Because of PFAC’s perspective, now each oncology floor in Parkview Tower has respite rooms for nurses, patient care techs and others to use at their discretion.  

 

PFAC’s Vision 

We advocate for improving the care and experience of our Siteman patients, families and team members by sharing and expanding the patient and family voices. 

Our Mission 

The PFAC ensures that patient and family voices are an integral part of delivering the highest standard of safe, comprehensive and compassionate cancer care and services. 

PFAC Accomplishments and Activities: 

  • Administered “Powered by Hope” award program 
  • Partner with Survivorship team to develop patient education materials 
  • Key contributor for patient engagement initiative  
  • Provided feedback for new patient-centered resource landing page on the Siteman website 
  • Participate in ongoing work with patient experience team 
  • Started “Death Over Dinner,” a series that normalizes death, grief, and other topics

PFAC has on-going representation and active participation in: 

  • PCORI I-Hope research grant on inpatient services. Read about PCORI I-Hope here.    
  • Barnes-Jewish Hospital Ethics Committee 
  • Siteman Cancer Committee 
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Consortium for Quality Improvement/PFAC workgroup for member cancer centers 
  • Patient Celebration Committee 
  • Patient Safety and Quality Committee 
  • Present to various staff groups describing the vision, mission, help and perspective that PFAC offers 

PFAC Membership 

PFAC members serve a two-year term and meet on a monthly basis. Meetings take place in the evenings. Members who wish to, have the option of extending their two-year term. Siteman’s PFAC welcomes applications from patients and caregivers at any time. Interested in joining PFAC? Submit a PFAC Interest Questionnaire. 

If you are interested in learning more about or joining Siteman’s PFAC, please contact Tate Rondot, the PFAC Manager, at 314-262-1330 or [email protected].