Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has launched a new online learning curriculum designed to help caregivers develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to play an active role in their child's safety and care.

The Advocating for Safety: Clients and Families as Partners eModules empower caregivers with practical knowledge, error prevention tools and strategies to become confident partners in their child's safety and care. The curriculum is adapted from the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) Network/HPI Press Ganey Error Prevention curriculum and tailored for caregivers with input from family leaders and Holland Bloorview's Quality and Safety team. Through a family-centred lens, the modules help caregivers identify safety concerns, communicate effectively with health-care teams and contribute to safer care experiences for their children.

The free, self-paced modules provide practical tools, real-life examples and evidence-informed strategies caregivers can use to navigate health-care settings, communicate effectively with care teams, share important information and help prevent errors before they occur. Caregivers can access the modules at a time and place that works best for them and revisit the content whenever they need support or a refresher.

“Families know their child best, and their voice is an important part of keeping care safe,” says Renee Blomme, director, quality, safety and performance (QSP). “This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a culture where families feel heard, trusted and empowered, because safer care happens when we work together."

Co-designed with families and informed by caregiver experiences navigating complex health-care journeys, the curriculum was created to address a gap in caregiver-focused patient safety education and strengthen partnerships between families and health-care providers.

Topics include:

• Understanding patient safety and the caregiver's role
• Communicating effectively with health-care teams
• Recognizing and helping prevent potential safety concerns
• Learning practical error-prevention strategies
• Asking questions and sharing important information
• Building confidence to advocate for a child across different care settings
• Strengthening partnerships between families and care teams

“One of the best ways to improve safety is to make sure families feel comfortable speaking up. Developed in partnership with our Family as Faculty, this training gives caregivers the same error prevention tools our staff use every day – helping them ask questions, raise concerns and advocate for their child. Safe care is a team effort, and families are an essential part of that team.” - Elena Garisto, safety and risk specialist

“We are committed to co-designing with kids, youth and families in everything we do. Their insights can be invaluable in helping us provide safe, high-quality care. When caregivers feel informed, empowered and included, they are better positioned to support the best possible outcomes." - Joanne Maxwell, vice president, experience, transformation and social accountability (ETSA)

"The Advocating for Safety eModules reflect Holland Bloorview's commitment to innovation in client safety, family engagement and quality improvement. By equipping caregivers with practical skills and knowledge, we are strengthening partnerships that benefit children, families and care teams alike."

In this video, Joanne Downing, family leader, shares the importance of learning and using error prevention tools to support the safe care of your child. 

As the only hospital within the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) network to develop a caregiver-focused patient safety curriculum, Holland Bloorview continues to advance innovative approaches that strengthen family engagement, improve communication and support safer care experiences.

Access the modules

• The Advocating for Safety eModules are available free of charge via Holland Bloorview website
• Learn more about Holland Bloorview’s Caring Safely program

By Terry Mutuku