Implementing

The CCFAP program model is based on a design of service, much like the service provided by a hotel concierge, with the project coordinator acting as the "concierge." All the services developed under the CCFAP are designed to achieve the program's goal of meeting the needs of families of critically ill patients in hospital ICUs. Each of the sites has implemented new procedures to assure better communication with families about the patient.

Successful implementation of the CCFAP requires several steps:

• Develop the financial assistance component of the CCFAP, including creation of food, hotel, and transportation support with local and national vendors.
• Develop the support services component to meet identified needs of families.
• Incorporate lessons learned from the pilot sites:
  • Make sure hospital policies and practices support implementation of the CCFAP for staff and families in the hospital.
  • Incorporate a family-centered approach to both the dissemination of medical information and comfort care.
  • Identify an ongoing process for ensuring successful implementation and problem solving.
  • Ensure that the rollout of program components occurs gradually and in a coordinated fashion, with major pieces in place before adding subcomponents.
• Make the CCFAP a part of everyday life at the hospital.
• Ensure that resources remain available to organize and implement the CCFAP.

Included in the Replication Toolkit:

• Planner for hospitality component, including creation of food, hotel, and transportation support with local and national vendors; sample letters for vendors are included.
• CCFAP implementation strategies to meet CCFAP goals and objectives, based on lessons learned from pilot and replication sites.
• Strategies for dissemination of medical information and comfort care to families.
• Strategies for kiosk development and implementation considerations.
• Sample outlines for family information notebooks.
• Challenges and solutions to hospital policies and practices (eg, visiting hours, space issues, new staff, etc).
• Strategies for making CCFAP an everyday part of hospital life.

Develop a unique identity by creating a special CCFAP logo: