In this section :

Resources for Patients and Essential Care Partners

Essential Care Partners are different from General Visitors Essential Care Partners (ECPs): Are identified and designated by patients Support throughout the care journey Play a significant role in patient safety by providing physical, psychological and emotional support Help their loved ones with decision-making, care coordination and continuity of care ECPs can be family members, close friends, caregivers or any person identified by the patient General Visitors have an important role but do not participate as active partners in care.

"The stress, the anxiety... I'm here because I need help.. please... Yes, that was my boyfriend who dropped me off but the pain was too much for him to witness So I am here alone. Fending for myself, hoping someone understands. Empathy is all we ask fromyou. All conscience and unconscious biases are real but I am a human being" Serena, Patient in the Emergency Department

"The Designated Care Partner program was created out of recognition that family and friends are integral to the patient's care and healing.. The orientation session includes a review of roles and responsibilities, ... and infection prevention and control education." - Lisa Roaffoul, Patient Advocate, Hotel- Dieu Grace Hospital

Together with the patient*, Essential Care Partners should be welcomed by the care team to play an active role to support decision-making, care plan coordination, transparency and continuity of care3,4. Whether you’re a patient wondering how to ensure your loved one can stay by your side, or a caregiver who wants some help to ensure your essential role is recognized by the care team, we can help.

Essential Care Partners can help their loved ones best by:

  • Learning about their loved one’s health issue so they can ask the right questions and know how to best assist care teams.
  • Being a second set of eyes, ears and voice for their loved one if needed.
  • Comforting their loved one physically, mentally and emotionally.
  • Being a champion for their loved one by encouraging them and documenting their progress.

Find out How to support your loved one - as an Essential Care Partner

Hear first hand from Essential Care Partners and healthcare professionals the difference ECPs make as they tell their stories that bring evidence to life and bust some common myths (Bringing Evidence to Life and Busting Myths through Stories)

Tools and Resources for patients* and Essential Care Partners

Contact our Essential Together program if you have any questions or would like to learn more: Essential.Together@HEC-ESC.ca

*The term “patient” is used inclusively to refer to people who receive care or services in a variety of settings, including acute care, outpatient and community services, long-term care, home care, etc.

 

1 Farmanova, Elina, Maria Judd, Christine Maika, and Graeme Wilkes. “Much More Than Just a Visit: A Review of Visiting Policies in Select Canadian Acute Care Hospitals.” Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (2016). Retrieved from https://www.cfhi-fcass.ca/docs/default-source/itr/tools-and-resources/better-togetherbaseline-report.pdf
2 Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. “Policy Guidance for the Reintegration of Caregivers as Essential Care Partners.”(2020). Retrieved from 
3 Farmanova, Elina, Maria Judd, Christine Maika, and Graeme Wilkes. “Much More Than Just a Visit: A Review of Visiting Policies in Select Canadian Acute Care Hospitals.” Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (2016), https://www.cfhi-fcass.ca/docs/default-source/itr/tools-and-resources/better-togetherbaseline-report.pdf
4 Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. “Policy Guidance for the Reintegration of Caregivers as Essential Care Partners.”(2020) 

 

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