Harmony
         Patient
Advocacy

​About Patient Advocacy and the role of Patient Advocates:​

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• Why It’s Wise to Use a Health Advocate, by Carolyn Clancy, MD

  • http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/health-advocate.html

• What is a Patient Advocate? The Assertive Patient

  • http://www.assertivepatient.org/patient-advocate.html

• Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

  • http://www.patientadvocate.org/

• Patient Advocacy in Patient Safety: Have Things Changed? By Helen Haskell, MA

  • https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspectives/perspective/160/patient-advocacy-in-patient-safety-have-things-changed

• Parents Often Catch Hospital Errors Doctors Missed, by Lisa Rapaport

  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-kids-hospital-mistakes-idUSKCN0W224B

• The Patient’s Playbook: How to Save Your Life and the Lives of Those You Love, by Leslie Michelson​

  • http://patientsplaybook.com/leslie-michelson

• And than the simple but so crucial aspects: 

• • reassuring presence of a familiar trusted person

  • assist with non-medical things, including cleanliness and wiping for germs, getting water and food, keeping warm, making sure the call button is within reach (if the nurse forgot)

  • vigilance about possible mistakes in care

  • understanding the treatment plan and the discharge plan

  • asking questions, taking notes

  • and the frequent problem of making sure the person gets to the bathroom in time!!!!

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