Patti Cox is pictured leaning against a care desk on a patient care unit, listening as a member of the care team speaks to her. Cox has blue eyes and light blonde hair styled in a pixie cut. She’s wearing a blue denim blouse on top of a white t-shirt. The staff member has their back to the camera, while Cox is facing the camera.
Patti Cox has been part of KHSC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council since 2012. A retired health-care professional herself, Cox also knows what it’s like being a patient at KHSC.
Credit
Matthew Manor/KHSC

Every now and then you’ll find Patti Cox armed with her trusty clipboard and pen making the rounds at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC).

As a patient experience advisor, she’s on the lookout for ways to improve different aspects of the care journey.

And she’s not the only one. Cox is the co-chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, which partners with KHSC to enhance the patient experience.

“Only the patient and family knows what an experience has been for them, so they can offer a lens as to what supports comfort, safety and trust,” explains Cox.

“The council serves in an advisory capacity, making recommendations on matters that impact the experience of patients. Understanding what matters to them can help shape decisions about care moving forward.”

Patti Cox is pictured taking part of team huddle on a patient care unit. She’s smiling as a member of the care team speaks to the group. Cox has blue eyes and light blonde hair styled in a pixie cut. She’s wearing a blue denim blouse on top of a white t-shirt, and is holding a clipboard and pen.
Cox says she’s proud to be part of the Patient and Family Advisory Council. She adds the authentic work they do matters and their influence is real.

Cox is no stranger to health care.

Fun fact… she was a candy striper at 15-years-old, as well as a nurse educator for more than 30 years.

She also knows what it’s like being a patient at KHSC.

“Being a retired health-care professional, I can appreciate the joys and challenges of frontline staff and marry that with my experience as a patient and a loved one of patients.

“Over the past 12 years, my family and I have had many care experiences. I’m a breast cancer survivor. Early detection led to early treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and targeted therapy over the course of about 15 months.

“I experienced a host of caring, sensitive health-care professionals and support staff all along the way.”

Patti Cox is pictured smiling directly at the camera while standing outside at Kingston General Hospital. She has blue eyes and light blonde hair styled in a pixie cut. She’s wearing a blue denim blouse on top of a white t-shirt.
Cox says understanding what matters to patients and families is important because it helps KHSC shape decisions about care moving forward.

Now in her volunteer era, Cox wants others to have that same experience.

That’s why she’s been sharing her expertise and keen eye with the council for the last 12 years.

“There’s no lip-service in involving patients and families. Patient partners support quality improvement for decisions affecting patient care.

“I enjoy being in the company of my fellow advisors, all of whom are very engaged, compassionate, thoughtful, resilient, and articulate people. I’m proud that the work of the council is authentic. We’re involved in things that matter and our influence is real.

“We’ve developed trusting relationships, and I marvel at how respectful and mindful KHSC is of the council’s ability to critically explore decisions that affect patients, identify nuances and simplify seemingly complex circumstances. There’s mutual respect and that’s gratifying.”

Patti Cox is pictured walking and talking with a member of patient care team down a hallway on an in-patient unit. Cox has blue eyes and light blonde hair styled in a pixie cut. She’s wearing a blue denim blouse on top of a white t-shirt, and is holding a clipboard and pen. The care team member has should length blonde hair, and is wearing a black blouse with light brown dress pants.
Cox believes patient partners support quality improvement by offering a lens as to what supports comfort, safety and trust for patients and families.

And by teaming up, Cox and council are not only supporting positive patient experiences, but also helping advance KHSC’s commitment to patient-and family-centred care.

Click here to learn more about KHSC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council.

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