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Patient Advocates: Be a Friend in the Hospital
Megan Malugani / Monster Contributing Writer
We all hope a stay in the hospital is uneventful and goes smoothly. However, things don’t always work that way. Trips to the emergency room, overnight stays and stints in long-term healthcare facilities are stressful for patients and their families.
Who can you turn to when you have a problem in a hospital? A patient advocate is often the answer. While patient advocates may also be known as patient ombudsmen or patient representatives, those who need them often refer to them simply as friends.
Helen Spicka, director of the patient advocate program at Community General Hospital in Harris, New York, is a pioneer in patient advocacy. “When I started doing this 20 years ago, there were very few hospitals with advocacy programs,” she says. “Now it’s a very popular program that most hospitals and other healthcare facilities have in place. They have found that it’s important to patients and the facilities.”
• Paid Advocates and Volunteers
jinjinjoel
about 4 years ago
20 comments
IM A FILIPINA AND A GRADUATING MOM IN BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING. STILL HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES I WANT TO GO IN AMERICA, IS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO WANTS TO HIRE ME IN ANY POSITION IN THE HOSPITAL OR EVEN A CAREGIVER AR NANNY IM AVAILABLE BY APRIL.TNX ,MY EMAIL santiagomaryjane@ymail.com
DaraeStarr
over 4 years ago
4 comments
Kansas Medical Center has pt advocates. They are usually only used to run recon on an old issue (day or shift before current nursing staff). They simply are a sounding board who gather information on issue or concern ( usually quality or quantity of care ). This information is given to nursing supervisor of unit then the staff member is asked their side of issue or concern along with documentation (pt notes, meds, history of pts stays). Then supervisor speaks with pt and reassures their future cares, as well as actions taken if dimmed necessary. The pt advocate follows up next day to make certain pt is satisfied with outcome. Check with your local state hospitals, Veterans Health Administration,U.S. Army Medical Command Center, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System or Department of Health & Human Services. These are facilities that often have this job position.
Tolulope
over 4 years ago
186 comments
I'm very confident in being a patient's advocate, but will like to know if it's a specialty on its own.
All nurses' performs this advocacy role to an appreciable extent.
Thanks for the anticipated enlightenment.
123adr
over 4 years ago
2 comments
we nurses are patients advocate and we have a license and no need to take others courses or certification.
maryodlb
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I feel I am already a patient advocate.
I try to treat each patient as I would my own family member.
However, if there is a "legitimate" occupation as a patient advocate, I certainly would like to have the information. My email is maryodlb@comcast.net
nursepatrice
over 4 years ago
18 comments
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO. ARE THERE CERTAIN COURSES YOU HAVE TO TAKE. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT APPLYING FOR THIS POSITON. IF THERE ARE ANY PATIENT ADVOCATES OUT THERE , PLESAE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME AT idelora@yahoo.com. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
barbarajannicegladys
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT BEING A PATIENT ADVOCATE. AND WHAT ARE TH REQUIREMENTS? my email is jcjk51@embarqmail.com
mmn1958
over 4 years ago
4 comments
How do I find a certificate program for Patient advocates?
mammadukes1
over 4 years ago
8 comments
what are the requirements on being a advacate?