WHO ARE WE?

The Parent Advisory Council is a group of parents whose children have received care at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.  Some of our children are chronically ill, while others have been treated at St. Christopher’s occasionally.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

To serve as an advisory resource to the administration of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and the Parents and Families that it serves.

To help promote Family Centered Care by keeping the needs of our patients and families at the center of our hospital services.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?

To provide input from a parent/family/caregivers perspective to ensure that services meet family needs.

To increase understanding and to promote effective partnerships between families, staff and professionals.

To provide a forum for developing creative solutions to challenges faced by the Hospital.

To provide support and access to information for families.

WHEN DO WE MEET?

The PAC meets quarterly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month:  September, December, March and June from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Discount parking – Parking coupons are available at the Cashier at $30.00 for a pack of 10, reducing a parent’s cost to $3.00 per day.
• Teen Center
• Family Resource Center – Located behind the main elevators on the 4th Floor.  There is a computer, fax, phone and other resources available for parents.
•  Satellite TV
• About My Child Template
•  Walk in My Shoes…A Day in the Life Video
•  Presentations to Hospital Staff
• PAC Bulletin Board

FAST FACTS FOR PARENTS BY PARENTS

1. St. Christopher’s has a Parent Advisory Council that takes an active role in assisting staff in promoting family-centered care.  Council members provide training to staff, residents and outside organizations on parenting children with special health care needs.
2. The Information Desk has a variety of take out menus for restaurants in the area that parents are welcome to borrow.
3. The Cafeteria opens at 10:30 PM, which is great for families who miss dinner because they don’t want to leave their child.
4. The Cashier’s office sells discounted parking coupons for parents in books of 10.  This reduces a parent’s cost to $3.00 per day.
5.  On the lower level of the hospital to the right of the cafeteria is the Medical Library.  The Librarian will assist parents in looking up information regarding their child’s illness.
6. The hospital has a Family Consultant (Randall Wilson) funded through a federal grant.  He provides peer support and assists families to navigate the health care system.
7. There is a stress management program offered for parents one day a week in the chapel.
8. There is a family bathroom in Ambulatory Pediatrics.
9. There is a Family Resource Center located on the Fourth  Floor behind the main elevators.  The resource enter has a fax, phone and computer for parent use.  It also has a variety of resources for families.
10. There are two other computers available for family use.  One in the ICU/CCU waiting room and the other in the parent lounge on the Fifth Floor (570 section).
11. There are special menus available from your child’s nurse for children who do not like what is offered on the regular menu.
12. There is a website developed by the Children’s Advocacy Project of Philadelphia which is very comprehensive and easy to use.  The website is www.cap4kids.org/Philadelphia.
13. There are laundry facilities available on the Third Floor across from EEG.
14. The hospital offers a service where families can create a free CarePage.  TLcontact is an easy to use service that continues even after the child is discharged.  Information is available in the Family Resource Center or through Child Life. www.carepages.com/tenet-st_chris

About My Child

Is a computer program that you can record your child’s medical history on and print it out before you go to the doctors’. (link English & Spanish)

Walk in My Shoes…A Day in the Life

The PAC wrote two grants and produced this video to be used as an ongoing tool in new employee orientation and other activities promoting the principles of Family-Centered Care.  The video was presented at the Second International Institute for Family Centered Care in San Francisco in February, 2005.

Family Faculty

The PAC provides educational programs for staff about working with families.  Presentations have be held using the Walk in My Shoes…A Day in the Life and communication techniques. 

How to Contact the Parent Advisory Council

The PAC can be contacted by email at  PAC.sch@tenethealth.com
Voice Mail at 215-427-4862