Does patient- and family-centered care cost more?
Many aspects of patient- and family-centered care do not cost more money; they simply require a change in attitude and approach. Patient- and family-centered care improves the quality and effectiveness of communication. It is proactive, rather than reactive. As a result, many problems are prevented, and others are handled before they grow out of control. Introducing patient- and family-centered care does entail some initial and ongoing education costs. But the costs of failed communication and trust—often quantified in terms of poor patient outcomes, wasted resources, and malpractice litigation—are much higher. Environments that support the presence and participation of families and ensure a healing environment with privacy for patients and families may be more expensive to build. These initial design costs are quickly recouped, often in quantifiable terms, as demonstrated by lower infection rates, higher patient and staff satisfaction ratings, and improved market share. A healing envi
