Download the Universal Patient Compact [PDF format] | Visit the Survey page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Universal Patient Compact™ is a statement of principles established by NPSF that define the elements of true and effective partnering between patients and providers. It helps health care organizations by providing a framework to shape an organization’s efforts toward integrating patients and families into care teams. The Compact describes principles that are essential to providing care that is truly patient-and-family-centered and that respects the rights of patients.

Patients, too, have responsibilities as part of their own care teams. For them, the Universal Patient Compact offers specific ways that they can work with their health care providers to improve the safety of their care.

Q. What are the principles of the Compact?

A. The Compact sets forth principles of the relationship between patients and providers that NPSF considers fundamental to the delivery of safe and high quality care. NPSF considers the principles representative of effective partnerships between patients and providers. The compact helps to inform and support hospitals and other organizations in their efforts to incorporate these principles into organizational policy and practice. It also serves as a guideline and reminder for patients, to help them become more involved in their care.

Q. How were these principles developed?

A. The initiative for The Universal Patient Compact™ was the outcome of a roundtable discussion during the 2007 McKesson Nursing Leadership Congress. It was introduced as part of the 2009 Patient Safety Awareness Week activities. The principles of the Compact, guided by elements of health literacy, were carefully developed through a multistakeholder approach. The document was created with input from the Patient and Family Advisory Committee at NPSF and affiliated patient advocacy groups, NPSF Board members, Stand Up for Patient Safety member organizations, and a variety of other patient and provider representatives.

Q. How is the Compact different from the Consumer Bill of Rights?

A. The Compact expands on principles contained in the Consumer Bill of Rights to describe a mutual covenant between health care providers and their patients. While the Bill of Rights focuses on the patient perspective, the Compact focuses on the relationship between the patient and the patient’s health care partners by creating an understanding between the parties about how they will work together.

Q. Is the Compact a legally binding document?

A. No, the Compact is not a legal instrument and is not meant to function as a binding contract between the patient and the care provider, nor to replace any form of document that hospitals or organizations may already use for this purpose. For this reason, NPSF encourages each organization to consider its own policies and needs when deciding how best to employ and disseminate the Compact.

Q. How do health care organization use the Compact?

A. The Compact is not a legally binding document. Health care organizations may display it in areas with wide visibility, such as office reception areas, waiting and exam rooms, or cafeterias. Some health care organizations share the compact with their patients or with Patient and Family Advisory Councils. Some may take it further by actually using the Compact as the foundation for a program built around the principles.

Other organizations may use the Compact to begin discussions among staff and the organization’s leadership. Such discussions help to gauge an organization’s adherence to the principles. If gaps are identified, the Compact can serve as a basis for creating goals to focus on the principles.

To make sure that patients and staff have an equal understanding of the Compact, health care organizations may choose to include it in patient education packets, as well as in staff or member orientation handbooks and training manuals.

Read more about the NPSF Universal Patient Compact Survey tool.

Q. Will the principles of the Compact ever be revised?

A. Yes. As the role of patients and providers evolves, the principles will be updated. NPSF seeks feedback on the principles continually so that it may be reaffirmed annually. Health care organizations can help us by asking a staff member and a patient representative to complete the respective two parts of an online survey.

The survey can also help organizations measure how closely their practices already match the principles of the compact. Part 1 is designed to be completed by the organization. It includes questions from the providers’ point of view. Part 2 is to be completed by patients, but it asks similar questions. When comparing responses from health care staff to those of patients, the gaps that appear may help organizations identify areas to improve and opportunities for dialogue.

Read more about the NPSF Universal Patient Compact survey.