NYCBS Patient-Family Advisory Council

The NYCBS Patient-Family Advisory Council, a group of NYCBS patients and employees,  gathered at the new Executive building for their bi-monthly meeting hosted by Brittany Kaliscik, Director of Patient Experience. “I look forward to these meetings because I genuinely enjoy connecting with our patients on a personal level.” She continued, “This council allows us, as an organization, the opportunity to understand the patient experience on a deeper level. It also provides a platform for patients to share their ideas and suggestions for improvement.”

During this past meeting, the council members met with executives Lynn Kay Winters, Chief Quality and Learning Officer, and Sean Riley, Chief Information Officer, along with two of our IT experts, John Pazienza and Jake Zuhoski. 

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the recently implemented tablets that are utilized at each NYCBS front desk during the check-in process and pre-visit forms that may be sent to patients electronically. 

Prior to scheduled appointments, we send email and text appointment reminders.  These reminders sometimes contain important links to forms that may be required for updating prior to your visit with your doctor, along with general health questionnaires.  These same forms are available on the tablet when you arrive at the office.

We reduce the number of times we ask you for your information electronically.  Once you fill out your medical information, such as an insurance ID or home address, it will be applied across all of your paperwork.  

• Forms - New patient package workflow and all other forms.

• Screenings - Depression, Lung & Distress Thermometer.

• Clinical Questions - Review of Systems(ROS), ECOG Performance Status, Vaccines Status, Pain Score & Advanced Directives.

• Documents - License and insurance card collection.

Council members received a tablet demonstration, where they learned about the functionality and purpose of these tablets and spent time discussing the above-mentioned forms. Council members then provided their feedback from the patient perspective on ways to further enhance the forms and tablet experience. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to listen to real patient feedback and concerns to understand what it is we do from a different perspective and to improve the patient experience overall,” says John Pazienza, “we received invaluable feedback from the council and are currently implementing the suggestions we received during the meeting.”

The Patient-Family Advisory Council is scheduled to meet again in July and look forward to welcoming new council members. If you are interested in learning more about this council or would like to join, please contact Brittany Kaliscik, Director of Patient Experience, at BKaliscik@nycancer.com.