WE LISTEN, WE LEARN, WE LEAD
November 2020
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Preparation for the Hospital:
Remote Advocacy
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By Ilene Corina, BCPA, President, Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy |
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Preparing for a hospital stay now involves more than just the TakeCHARGE, 5 Steps for Safer Healthcare. Now you should make sure your whole family knows how to use Facebook Messenger or other software to communicate by phone, face to face. Many hospitals are keeping families away from the patient during the pandemic, and this means that complete strangers are making all decisions for your family. We can still stay connected through electronic means. But, plan ahead. For years, I have been at the bedsides of people following their surgeries.
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As they come out of a groggy state the nurse, with a clip board and now a computer on wheels asks questions, one after another. Do you have any allergies? Do you know your medication? Do you feel safe at home? Do you smoke? Usually these same questions have been asked many times before. With the family at the patient’s side, they could help with the answers. Family would get water, dab their head with cool cloths and serve the patient ice chips. The family could get another pillow or blanket. The family could get someone to help the patient use the bathroom (to help avoid falls), write down questions the patient might have, and write down the answers the nurse or doctor might offer.
Now, nothing. The same people we trust to wash their hands, who often don’t, are the same people who are now overworked, overburdened and overstretched and now also taking care of your family member on their own without your support.
Before a patient had surgery recently, we practiced Facebook messenger. She was sure to pack her phone, her charger and even an extension cord to be sure we were at all times connected. Just before surgery the patient held her phone up to the surgeon, who was all scrubbed up, and asked me, “Any questions?” I asked how long the surgery was expected to take. We were done until we reconnected after the surgery. I slept with the phone next to me, still connected, and she did the same. I kept my camera covered and on mute so I would not disturb her. The patient kept her camera on, resting on the tray table, and left the microphone on all night. I heard the nurse come in at 3:00 AM to give pain medication and asked through the phone “Who is the patient you are looking for and what is the medication you are giving her?” And when the patient woke up in the morning and said they never gave her pain medication, I was able to tell her they had. If the patient needed to go to the bathroom and no one came to help, I could call the nurse’s station. When the doctor made the very early rounds and talked about giving the patient “pain medication” I asked if it would be an opioid, something I knew the patient would rather not take when her pain was not that bad. The doctor said it was.
Staying connected can work, but plan ahead and practice using the services until you’re comfortable with a system that works for you, especially if the person being hospitalized is older, sicker or not familiar with the electronic services available.
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PEOPLE FOR PATIENT SAFETY:
A PROGRAM WHERE WE SHARE SOLUTIONS
NEXT PROGRAM: November 9th, 2020 7:00 PM EASTERN TIME
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Understanding Health Insurance:
How to Avoid Excessive Out-of-Pocket Claims Costs and How to Appeal Denials
Presented by Lou Bernardi and Rita Saïd
Managed Care plans have evolved significantly over the past ten years. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 created a system to help employees and individuals make choosing a plan easier. But far too often, people choose health plans based on the premium costs without knowing the differences in benefits between each plan. It’s more important than ever to understand the benefits of your plan, and how to appeal the denial of a claim. How does this happen and what can you do? Learn how to advocate for yourself by joining our discussion. ALL are welcome!
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Come early and and network or just say "hello"
The room opens 15 minutes before the hour
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If you missed the October Program,
you still have a chance to see the edited presentation. Video Below
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A Conversation with
Dr. Bruce Hirsch
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Dr. Hirsch makes the information about the coronavirus simple and easy to understand. Feel free to share it with anyone you think might need a reminder about COVID-19.
This video made in March and it's a good time to review again.
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If you missed the FUNdraiser,
Sunday, October 11th, 2020
You missed the FUN!
Here some of the winners show off their prizes.
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Patient Advocate Cathy Bond from Atlanta, GA , Founder of A Listening Ear, shows off her winning gift card donated by Step Ahead Networking
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Leslie Snapper, Southbury CT
shows off her Target gift card she won at the fundraiser
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JoJo Granoff, Baldwin, Long Island poses with her holiday basket of coffee and a scarecrow donated by Ocean Gypsy Gift Baskets |
Lori McBride, Levittown, Long Island Shares her prize with her granddaughter |
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Thank You Again to Our Event Sponsors
and to all who attended!!
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Need a speaker for your organization? We are available via Zoom! Contact Pulse Center for Patient Safety at (516) 579-4711 and we will arrange for a speaker to present on a number of topics around patient safety or preparing to be a patient. We are happy to put a panel together for you too, on a number of topics! Let's talk!
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Give the "Wishing You Well" or Memorial Gift that Keeps Giving - While helping to share an important message |
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When you purchase “wishing you well” or sympathy cards from this site you are supporting the TakeCHARGE Campaign which promotes 5 Steps to Safer Health Care! The donation for cards is $10 each or you can keep some on hand at three for $25. Please be sure to allow time for the cards to be shipped to you. If you prefer, we will send the card for you.
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Call for more information and for faster service (516) 579-4711. For all orders of $25 sent
to the purchaser, a TakeCHARGE antibacterial hand sanitizer will be included (while supplies last).
Call for your set of cards (516) 579-4711
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Family Advocacy Consultation |
What would it be worth to potentially save a life?
If you think that well-prepared patients have better medical outcomes (hint: it's true!)...
Consider becoming a sponsor of this important project. The Pulse Center was started following the founder’s tragic loss of her young son due to a series of preventable medical errors, in an effort to save others from suffering the same fate. The TakeCHARGE campaign seeks to reach more people with a simplified 5 Steps to Patient Safety. Learn more here
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No matter where you are, we can all benefit from the information offered by New York State Wide Senior Action Council, Inc. Telephone Teach-Ins
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Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy is a volunteer organization. Your donations support our outreach and services. Please consider supporting as a volunteer or with a donation in any amount. |
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Thank you to the sponsors of the TakeCHARGE Campaign
Do you see this? If so, others will see you too! Consider becoming a sponsor: TakeCHARGE Sponsor
TakeCHARGE sponsors can host a TakeCHARGE Program for the people you care about!
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Change the World with Your Spare Change
The spare change left from a dollar when using your credit card or debit card can help support Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy!
"I donated $4.20 and didn't even miss it!"
-A Pulse Roundup App Donor
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Here's How
Go to RoundUpApp sign up or log in and type in Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy – set your amount and leave your card number. There is nothing else for you to do!
Because Every Little Bit Helps a Lot!
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