Planetree recognizes 2 Griffin caregivers at annual conference

Hospital wins leadership award

Planetree President Susan B. Frampton congratulates Michael Currie. / Contributed photo

 

Director of Emergency Medicine Dr. Gregory Boris and Susan B. Frampton at Planetree Awards ceremony. / Contributed photo


DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Director of Emergency Medicine Gregory Boris of Woodbridge, and Environmental Services staff member Michael Currie of Naugatuck, were recently honored with the 2013 Spirit of Planetree Awards.

They were recognized at the 2013 Planetree Annual Conference in October in Montreal, Canada.

Griffin Hospital was also recognized at the conference, earning the 2013 Distinction for Leadership and Innovation Award.
Boris and Currie received the “Physician Champion Award” and “Caregiver Award,” respectively, recognizing their commitment to both Planetree and Griffin Hospital's patient-centered approach to providing care.

The awards were presented by Planetree President Susan B. Frampton in conjunction with the Planetree Annual Conference.

“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our Annual Conference,” Frampton said.
“At the heart of the Planetree model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Awards, we celebrate individuals like Dr. Boris and Michael who, with their compassion, empathy, and simple human kindness, are improving the patient experience, and that is most definitely worthy of recognition."

Griffin’s entire conference contingent accepted The Distinction for Leadership and Innovation Award from Frampton at the awards ceremony.
The award distinguishes Planetree designated sites that continue to advance the model of patient-centered care through outreach, research, scholarship and innovation.
The Distinction criteria encourage organizations to consider ways that, as leaders in the field, they may build awareness, strengthen the case, and continue to innovate in patient-centered care.

About Planetree

Founded in 1978 by, Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care.

Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years.
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

 

Shelton musician offers respite from busy world

Michael Coppola

DERBY - I was pleasantly surprised when I came out of a doctor's appointment today at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital to hear music played by talented guitarist Michael Coppola.

I asked him if I could snap a photo and he said that was fine.

Coppola, a Shelton resident, works through the hospital's arts and entertainment program, a component of its patient-centered Planetree model of health care. 

Planetree chief to co-chair national health agency

DERBY – The National Priorities Partnership has named Susan Frampton, PhD,  president of Planetree Inc. in Derby, as the new co-chair of the group.

The NPP is a National Quality Forum -convened partnership of 52 major national organizations with a shared vision to achieve better health, and a safe, equitable, and value-driven healthcare system.

Frampton has worked for more  than 10 years with Planetree, a not-for-profit advocacy, consultation and membership organization.
Planetree works with a growing network of hospitals and continuing care communities around the world to implement Planetree’s comprehensive patient-and resident-centered model of care, resulting in improvements in both clinical and operational outcomes.

Planetree is a part of Griffin Health Services with its headquarters in Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Frampton has served as a member of the NPP since 2009, identifying strategies to improve safety, quality and patient-centered outcomes for the U.S. healthcare system.

She served in 2011 on NPP’s Better Care Subcommittee, which helped to further shape the National Quality Strategy (NQS) – a set of goals to support efforts to improve the quality of health and healthcare.  She also served as co-chair of the NPP (Re) admissions Action Team, which developed and executed strategies to safely reduce avoidable readmissions and increase the uptake of patient-centered team-based care delivery models.

“Since joining NPP, Planetree has added a critical layer of perspective regarding patient-centered care and the voice of the patient in meeting the goals of the NQS,” said NPP Co-Chair Bernie Rosof.  “I am very much looking forward to working together with Susan as we continue to advance the goals of the National Quality Strategy.”

As co-chair, Frampton will serve a three-year term, co-leading the Partnership alongside Bernie Rosof.
The NPP partners collaborate with one another and with broader stakeholder groups to advance the NQS priorities and goals; demonstrate collective commitment to catalyze efforts around national priorities and goals; and seek opportunities to communicate with one another and stakeholders beyond NPP about aligning efforts with the NQS to improve health and healthcare. 

Past NPP co-chairs include Don Berwick, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Peggy O’Kane, President of the National Committee for Quality Assurance;  and Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health. Bernie Rosof, MD, immediate past chair of the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement convened by the American Medical Association, was named co-chair in 2010.

“We currently have an unprecedented opportunity to meaningfully engage patients and families in healthcare quality improvement efforts. I look forward to working with Dr. Rosof, the NPP members and NQF staff as well as CMS’ Partnership for Patients to ensure that the voices of patients and caregivers are the foundation of our improvement strategies," Frampton said.

In addition to her work with the NPP, Frampton participated on The Joint Commission’s Expert Advisory Panel on culturally competent patient-centered care standards, NQF’s Care Coordination Steering Team and the Institute of Medicine’s review panel for their 2009 publication on integrative medicine.
She serves as a faculty member for the Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives (Arlington, Va.) each year, and speaks internationally on the connections between patient-centered care, quality and patient safety.
She has authored numerous publications and is a frequently sought-after speaker. 

“It has been a privilege to engage in the immensely important work of the NPP,” said Helen Darling, outgoing NPP co-chair, “and to work closely with Susan over the last two years on the Readmissions Work Group. From that direct experience, I know she will be a wonderful, inspired leader, and work so well with Dr. Rosof. We are all thrilled that Susan has agreed to move into this role. I look forward to continuing to work closely with her and Dr. Rosof to promote the NPP’s goals of achieving healthy communities and safe, affordable, and equitable care, including through the Partnership for Patients.”

About NQF:

NQF operates a three-part mission to improve the quality of American healthcare by:

• building consensus on national priorities and goals for performance improvement and working in partnership to achieve them;
• endorsing national consensus standards for measuring and publicly reporting on performance; and
• promoting the attainment of national goals through education and outreach programs. 

About Planetree:

Founded in 1978 by a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic hospitalization, Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize and demystify the healthcare system for more than three decades.
Today, the Planetree membership network is a global community of acute care hospitals, continuing care facilities, and outpatient clinics, each at various phases of the journey to transform their health care by considering every aspect of the healthcare experience from the perspective of their patients, and reconnecting staff to their passion for caring for others.

A complete list of Planetree hospitals is available to download at www.planetree.org.

The above is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin staffers honored with Spirit of Planetree awards

Carlos Schweitzer, M.D., left, and Radiation Therapist Laura Howell celebrate with Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel.

Carlos Schweitzer, M.D., and Radiation Therapist Laura Howell were honored as recipients of the 2012 Spirit of Planetree Award at the recent 2012 Planetree Annual Conference in Palm Desert, Calif. Schweitzer and Howell received the Physician Champion Award and Caregiver Award, respectively, recognizing their personal embodiment of Griffin Hospital's patient-centered approach to providing care.
The awards were presented by Planetree President Susan B. Frampton, Ph.D., in conjunction with the Planetree Annual Conference. The conference was attended by Planetree members from 14 countries across the globe.
“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our Annual Conference,” Frampton said.
 “At the heart of the Planetree model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Award, we celebrate individuals like Dr. Schweitzer and Laura Howell who, with their compassion, empathy, and simple human kindness, are improving the patient experience, and that is most definitely worthy of recognition.”


Griffin Hospital is committed to the Planetree philosophy and implementing the Planetree model of patient-centered care.
 Guided by the model's 10 core components, each member collaborates with Planetree staff to develop a plan to implement initiatives and practices designed to enhance the patient experience while also supporting the professional and personal aspirations of their staff.
“Every day, in both their interactions with patients and fellow employees, Dr. Schweitzer and Laura Howell exemplify Planetree and patient-centered care,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “It is only fitting that they be recognized with this prestigious national award. In recognizing Dr. Schweitzer and Laura, Planetree and Griffin Hospital are also paying tribute to the dedication and compassion demonstrated by all our caregivers, day in and day out.”

Schweitzer and Howell were two of more than 200 recipients of the 2012 Spirit of Planetree Award. Also recognized were 12 programs implemented at Planetree organizations across the world that represent extraordinary achievement in each of Planetree’s components of patient-centered care, such as healthy communities, human interactions, spirituality and architecture and interior design.


Founded in 1978 by a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an international, not-for-profit organization that partners with health care organizations across the continuum of care to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare experience by putting the needs of individuals first. 
To achieve this aim, Planetree guides organizations through a structured process that enables and inspires caregivers to transform the health care experience they provide. With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, and The Netherlands, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-resident-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.

The above information was taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin marks patient-centered care awareness

Theme of month is 'Building Patient Confidence' 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital joins Planetree, as well as hospitals and health care organizations around the world this October to commemorate the sixth annual Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month.

This year’s theme, “Building Patient Confidence,” and butterfly icon represents the significant organizational culture change and transformation to patient-centered care.
Ultimately when patients report they feel they are being treated with dignity, respect and compassion, when families express gratitude for being treated as full partners in care, and when health care providers are prideful of their work, the rewards are vibrant and uplifting.


“Patient-centered health care organizations build patient confidence by supporting patients, their loved ones and the team of health care providers to all be on the same page in understanding the patient’s health and health care needs. Confidence comes from being able to control and manage your health, which includes communication with providers about health history, current needs and future plans. Additionally, patients are encouraged to identify a care partner who understands the diagnosis, coordinates care and serves as an advocate,” said Planetree President Susan B. Frampton, Ph.D.


Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month is sponsored and coordinated by Planetree, a global, not-for-profit organization raising the standard of personalized healthcare by coaching organizations to inspire and enable their caregivers to transform the healthcare experience they provide.

Griffin Hospital has been actively engaged in implementing the Planetree model for the past 20 years, focusing on individualized care and providing meaningful opportunities to activate patients and families, such as care partner programs, patient advisory councils, bedside shift reports, and open medical records.

“As the flagship hospital for Planetree, Griffin Hospital has received national recognition for creating a facility and approach to patient care that is responsive to the needs of patients,” said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO.
“As a result, hundreds of healthcare facilities around the world have sent teams of caregivers to visit Griffin Hospital and now incorporate the Planetree concepts they observe into their healthcare models.”

Several activities are planned to increase awareness about the patient-centered model of care, empower patients and inspire health-care organizations to further advance and expand the practice.

The month’s activities include:

• The 2012 Planetree Annual Conference Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Palm Desert, Calif.

•  The recognition of individual health care professionals for their personal embodiment of the values of patient-centered care at the annual Spirit of Planetree Awards Oct. 3 concluding the  2012 Planetree Annual Conference, including Radiation Oncologist Laura Howell of West Hartford.
• U.S. governors are commemorating the event by signing proclamations recognizing Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month in their states.

        • Hospitals are coordinating a variety of events as well as distributing “I Am an Expert About Me” stickers to patients, and staff members are wearing “I Am Listening” stickers.
         • The Planetree website, www.planetree.org, features a variety of free videos, resources and tool kits, including information about Same Page Transitions, for patients and caregivers under the resources section.

The above is a press release from Griffin Hospital in Derby.