| Monastery
joins in Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month
The Monastery of St. Gertrude is pleased to join hundreds of patient-centered organizations from around the world  in
commemorating the seventh annual Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month
in October. Aging sisters are cared for on the second floor of the Monastery
by a professional caregiving staff that is overseen by Sister Janet Barnard,
a registered nurse.
Organizations like ours are engaging in a variety of activities designed to support patients and build confidence in managing their health, strengthen patient-centered practices, publicly proclaim a commitment to patient-centered care, and reflect on efforts to transform the health care experience. The butterfly logo reinforces that while the process of transformation is gradual and at times challenging, with patience, creativity and perseverance, the results can be beautiful, vibrant and uplifting. The theme of Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month this year is “Compassion in Action” and emphasizing the importance supporting professional caregivers in providing care in a manner that yields the enriching and satisfying patient experiences and positive quality outcomes. It is incumbent on patient-centered healthcare organizations to nurture empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence in staff. When caregivers are nurtured and supported, they are empowered to build therapeutic connections with patients, allowing them to learn about the person beyond the diagnosis, and personalize care plans to accommodate their preferences. As part of Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month in October, the Monastery of St. Gertrude will display an official declaration of its commitment to the values of patient-centered care: A patient is an individual to be cared for, not a medical condition to be treated. Each patient is a unique person, with diverse needs. Each staff member is a caregiver, whose role is to meet the needs of each patient. Our patients are our partners and have knowledge and expertise that is essential to their care. Our patients’ family, friends and community are also partners and we welcome their involvement. Access to understandable health information is essential to empower patients to participate in their care and it is our responsibility to provide access to that information. The opportunity to make decisions is essential to the well-being of our patients. It is our responsibility to maximize patients’ opportunities for choices and to respect those choices. Our patients’ well-being can be enhanced by an optimal healing environment, including access to music and the arts, satisfying food and complementary therapies. To effectively care for patients, we must also care for our staff members by supporting them in achieving their highest professional aspirations, as well as their personal goals. Patient-centered care is the core of a high quality health care system and a necessary foundation for safe, effective, efficient, timely and equitable care. 
Sister Catherine Manderfeld and Sister Carolyn Miguel receive care from Rita McWilliams and Sheila Smith. |
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