Loretta Muss Discusses Patient and Family Centered Care

Loretta Muss, coordinator, Patient and Family Advisory Board, co-chair, Partnering with Patients and Families, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, North Carolina Cancer Hospital, discusses patient and family centered care.

Muss says most hospitals are turning toward patient- and family-centered care. Patient- and family-centered care helps engage patients and the caregiver. When the patients and caregivers are incorporated, Muss says, there are fewer accidents, better patient safety, and less employee turnover.

Currently, Muss says her team has been focusing on getting patients and caregivers to work alongside the staff as a team to bring about positive change. One example of this is the center’s caregiver program. As a result of this program, there is a support meeting twice a month where caregivers can “let their hair down.” Muss says being a caregiver of a cancer patient is difficult and these caregivers deserve a place where they can get the support and encouragement they need.