Elmhurst Hospital honored for 'person-centered' care

Elmhurst Hospital has been awarded a Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International.

The certification recognizes Elmhurst Hospital's achievement and innovation in the delivery of person-centered care. Elmhurst Hospital was first recognized as a Planetree Designated Patient-Centered Hospital in 2012 and redesignated in 2015.

Elmhurst is one of only 88 health care organizations worldwide, including 26 in the U.S., to receive Gold Certification.

Gold Certification represents Planetree's highest level of achievement in person-centered care, based on evidence and standards. Person-centered health care prioritizes the active participation of patients and their families throughout the health care process with an emphasis on partnership, compassion, transparency, inclusion and quality.

“The Planetree philosophy has become so ingrained in what we do that it is simply second nature to us,” says Pamela Dunley, president and CEO of Elmhurst Hospital.

Planetree surveyors noted that Elmhurst Hospital's Patient Family Advisory Council and bedside shift reports were “best in class.”

The council was established in 2009 and is typically made up of 18 patient/family members and four hospital staff members. During Planetree focus groups, patients and family members emphasized how bedside shift reports happen consistently and involve both the patient and family member.

The process also included a review of the organization's performance on patient experience and quality of care measures, and how measurement of these indicators improves organizational outcomes.

For more information about Elmhurst Hospital, visit www.eehealth.org. For more information about Planetree, visit www.planetree.org.