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Lessons Learned from Implementing a Designated Care Partner Program in a Community Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2025

Cayla N. Wood ,
Paula M. van Wyk ,
Leslee Ward ,
Lisa Raffoul ,
Noor Zahwe ,
Noeman A. Mirza  and
Jennifer Voth
Cayla N. Wood*
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
Paula M. van Wyk
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
Leslee Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada Research and Evaluation Services Department, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada
Lisa Raffoul
Affiliation:
The Ontario Caregiver Association and the department is The Essential Care Partner Support Hub
Noor Zahwe
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
Noeman A. Mirza
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
Jennifer Voth
Affiliation:
Research and Evaluation Services Department, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada
*
Corresponding author: La correspondance et les demandes de tirésàpart doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Cayla N. Wood, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4 ([email protected]).
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Abstract

Restrictions on family presence during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the health of patients and their families. Although there was an expressed need for family involvement in care, guidelines for integrating family members as care partners were lacking. To facilitate family members’ involvement, the Designated Care Partner (DCP) program was implemented at a community hospital. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of this program. Findings aim to inform healthcare organizations that are seeking ways to integrate family members as care partners.

Abstrait

Abstrait

Les restrictions imposées à la présence des familles pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 ont eu un impact négatif sur la santé des patients et de leurs proches. Bien qu’un besoin d’implication de la famille dans les soins ait été exprimé, il existait un manque de lignes directrices pour intégrer les membres de la famille en tant que partenaires de soins. Pour faciliter la participation des membres de la famille, le programme « Designated Care Partner (DCP) » a été mis en œuvre dans un hôpital communautaire. Cet article décrit le développement, la mise en œuvre et l’évaluation de ce programme. Les résultats visent à informer les organismes de soins de santé qui cherchent des moyens d’intégrer les membres de la famille en tant que partenaires de soins.

Keywords

patient-centred carefamily presence in healthcarecare partnersquality improvementSoins centrés sur le patientprésence familiale dans les soins de santépartenaires de soinsamélioration de la qualité
Type
Policy and Practice Note/Note de politique et practique
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , First View , pp. 1 - 8
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Copyright
© Canadian Association on Gerontology 2025

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