Massachusetts passed a law in 2008 requiring all acute and rehabilitation hospitals in the state to establish a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). The legislation remains the only one of its kind in the country. 

In past years, Health Care For All collected and aggregated annual reports from each hospital to share with the wider community using the template below to collect information about key activities. As of 2023, the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety assumed responsibility for collecting and posting annual reports. The Center is also revitalizing efforts to support PFAC work across the state and will have more information in the coming months on that work.

Hospitals are asked to email updated annual reports to PFAC@BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov by October 1 of each year. 

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Betsy Lehman Center to support, bolster PFACs statewide

October 2023 article in Patient Safety Beat on the Center's new role as the central hub for PFAC information in Massachusetts.

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Including the patient voice

A guide to engaging the public in programs and policy development

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PFAC toolkit resources

A collection of resources to help PFACs succeed, under categories including Readiness, Start-up planning, Start-up documents, For advisors, Recruitment, Diversity and more.

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