The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has been in the news a lot during the past few years. During that time and before, a group called the Patient and Family Advisory Council has operated at the hospital. Every hospital in Massachusetts is required to have a council that meets quarterly at a minimum. The council includes representatives of the community and hospital staff. The purpose of the council is “to provide quality, patient-centered care” and “to facilitate family and patient participation in hospital care”. Each October, the hospital is required to submit to the state an annual report of committee work.

The work of the council is not political. Nor is it to make the work of the hospital administration and board more transparent. The job of the council is to help determine how to make the life of patients at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital more comfortable.

During the past few years the council has been responsible for providing white boards in every patient room so that patients know the name and assignment of their doctors and nurses every day. The council has created a drug disposal flyer so that community members know how important it is to discard unused medications in designated receptacles around the Island. It has investigated work with the healthy aging task Force to promote the importance of advanced directives for Islanders of all ages, not just the elderly. These are only three of the small but important initiatives targeted by this council during recent years.

Community members currently serving on the council are Celeste Stickney, Michael Kobran, Brenda Brathwaite, Dan Cabot and myself. These folks are eager to serve the Island as best they can. If you have had an experience that suggests that the council can make a change to help hospital patients (outpatients as well as inpatients) suffer their ailments and infirmities a bit more comfortably, share your concern privately with these folks and they will bring them to the attention of the hospital.

We are proud of our hospital. Testimonials from patients reiterate the quality of its care. If based on your experience or the experience of your family and friends, you can offer a suggestion to make patient experience even more positive, work with us.

Elaine Pace

West Tisbury