Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UZ Leuven tested “care partners” in 18 departments; Head Nurse Reginald Alaerts reports it boosted patient well-being, offering emotional support, better recovery, and smoother hospital care.
As VRT News reported, a new project at UZ Leuven hospital is changing how they care for patients. They mentioned that the goal is to make care more personal and involve patients’ families. Patients can now choose a “partner in care,” such as a family member or friend, to accompany them.
Reginald Alaerts reports that this person provides emotional support and facilitates communication between the patient and the medical team. The hospital hopes this will make patients happier and help them get better faster.
They are watching closely to see if this helps with recovery and makes the hospital run more smoothly. Officials mentioned that if it works well, other hospitals might use this idea too, to make patient care more caring and effective.
Will UZ Leuven’s care partner program enhance patient support and care?
Head Nurse Reginald Alaerts shared insights on a pilot project at UZ Leuven, designed to test a new visiting policy. The trial, conducted in 18 departments, aimed to see if this new approach was practical and beneficial. The teams assessed how patients and their partners felt about it and whether it improved care. Alaerts reported positive results after the trial. The pilot showed that involving a care partner was manageable and improved patient well-being and satisfaction.
Reginald Alaerts highlighted that care partners often assist with small, practical tasks to help with daily hospital life. These tasks can include helping with meals, personal hygiene, accompanying patients to appointments, and aiding communication with the medical team.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, UZ Leuven encourages patients and their partners to discuss tasks with hospital staff beforehand. They mentioned that this open communication clarifies the care partner’s role, prevents misunderstandings, and ensures that the extra help supports the patient without disrupting the work of nurses and doctors.
In 2024, UZ Leuven introduced a new idea in 18 hospital areas. They let patients pick a “care partner” to stay with them. Research shows that having a trusted person helps patients feel better, less stressed, and recover faster.
The patient chooses this person, like a family member or friend. This person can visit all day, not just during set hours. They help the patient feel safe and supported, but they don’t do the medical work.
