App : Text GOLEXCAB to 31996 • Text : ( 859 ) 449-7330 • Web : golexcab . com
confusion of modern healthcare .
“ The healthcare system has become so complex and profit driven , patients get lost in the shuffle ,” said Toni Dreher , founder of North Shore Patient Advocates LLC ( www . North- ShoreRN . com ) in Chicago . “ Up to 440,000 patients die in the hospital each year due to medical errors . Patients need someone knowledgeable speaking and watching out solely for them .”
Some patient advocates offer medical assistance that requires knowledge of the health care system and a medical background . They are usually retired RNs and doctors or someone who has spent years in the medical field . There are , in addition , patient advocates who are employed by hospitals and others who help primarily with insurance and insurance filings .
Dreher ’ s first attempt at advocating was in an intervention she made on behalf of her father-inlaw . Despite a life-threatening blood clot , the hospital that was treating him was set to release him . Dreher successfully intervened , but it made her wonder : What if he hadn ’ t had a nurse in the family watching out for him ? Now well established in her business , Dreher uses a team approach to look out for patients during hospitalization . Her services include :
• helping patients and their families become more knowledgeable about their diagnosis ;
• asking doctors questions a lay
MAY / JUNE 2 0 1 6
person wouldn ’ t know to ask ;
• getting all the facts ;
• researching all treatment options ;
• researching and identifying the best doctor , hospital and / or nursing home for a patient ; and
• helping take care of insurance claims . If you are or a family member is hospitalized and you cannot hire a patient advocate , a family member may serve the purpose . Dreher offers the following tips for advocating for a sick family member :
• Become proactive . Prepare a summary sheet for your loved one in advance , covering all health conditions , allergies and names of physicians , and keep a current list of medications so if the patient is hospitalized , there is a record .
• Educate yourself about a loved one ’ s medical condition but choose your sources carefully . Talk with the patient ’ s family doctor and / or specialists if possible .
• Consult the National Institute of Health ( NIH ) for information .
• Choose all doctors carefully . Ask a trusted healthcare professional for a recommendation .
• Try to avoid hospitalization , especially if the patient is elderly . In the event of hospitalization ,
Dreher says family advocates must : 1 . Realize vigilance is required
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because medical personnel may make mistakes .
2 . Pay attention , take notes , provide information and ask questions .
3 . Organize shifts among relatives .
4 . Take notes and jot down information such as the names of hospital personnel seeing the patient , as well as your observations .
5 . Make questions count . Don ’ t ask a doctor a question a
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nurse could answer .
6 . Make sure the staff wear gloves and use hand sanitizer before touching the patient .
7 . Know you are allowed to request medical records . 8 . Be especially vigilant during admission and discharge ; this is when hospital personnel are working extra fast and are likely to make mistakes .
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App : Text GOLEXCAB to 31996 • Text : ( 859 ) 449-7330 • Web : golexcab . com
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