Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates
In This Issue
Teamsters Sign Contract
Sometimes It's Simple!
Tips on Helping Patients
 
  What's New at Guardian Nurses

 Teamsters
Local 830
Signs On
 
On Thursday, April 2nd, the trustees of Teamsters Local 830, agreed to move forward on a one-year project with engaging Guardian Nurses to help their 2,500 members.

Sam Kenish, CEBS, Administrator for Local 830, said he and his benefits team are "looking forward to working with Guardian Nurses."
Guardian Nurses Work Saves Time and Money
  
In our initial work with one 52 year-old patient, he reported several months of frustration with seeing numerous doctors, having multiple tests, and not getting either a diagnosis or relief from his very aggravating symptoms!
During the initial conversation, our nurse advocate questioned whether his doctor had drawn recent blood work.  She had not, so in he went for another visit to have blood work drawn.  One week later, he had a diagnosis and was put on the right track for treatment! 

Sometimes our work can be that simple!
 
Lighter Notes
Project H.O.M.E.
Fundraiser 

An Evening of Fashion and Compassion
 
On Tuesday, May 12th, at 6PM, join Betty Long and hundreds of other guests at the Phoenix Spa and Salon in Center City Philly for a lively fundraiser to benefit Project H.O.M.E.   Betty will be one of 40 "models" who will work the runway to raise money and awareness of the work of Project HOME.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased on-line at 
www.projecthome.org

The Flame
April 2009
Thank you to all who have let us know how much you enjoy The Flame!  This is the third edition of our new monthly e-newsletter.  Besides offering helpful tips and suggestions about maneuvering through the healthcare system, we will share news about the Guardian Nurses' organization and team.  And just to keep things 'light,' we'll also include an occasional "Lighter Note."  Enjoy! And feel free to let us know what you think!

Tips on Helping Patients
in the Hospital


We hear more and more people saying, "Don't go into the hospital alone, if you can possibly avoid it."  Our belief is that you wouldn't go into the legal system without a lawyer and so you shouldn't go into the healthcare system without an advocate.  Honest.  And that advocate can be a nurse or it can be a family member, a friend, or a colleague.

While many hospitals are making great efforts to improve patient safety and quality, include families in patients' care, and improve communication throughout the hospitalization, patients can still benefit from having an advocate.  And that can be you. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Ask everyone who enters the patient's room if they've washed their hands.  If they haven't, ask that they do.
  • Ask that staff members identify themselves when they enter the room and let the patient know why they've come.
  • Ask nurses to read drug orders out loud and make sure they match the patient's ID bracelet.  If it's a new medication, ask what it is being given for and what to expect.
  • Don't help a patient get in or out of bed by yourself.  Ask staff to help.
  • Never give a patient medications on your own.
  • In longer hospital stays, be alert for 'bedsores' (pressure wounds). Ask staff how often the patient is being turned and/or if a special air mattress can be used (if it's not already in place).
  • Remember that while other patients may have more urgent needs, don't hesitate to speak up if you have concerns. 
  • Consider keeping a journal for your observations, especially if you're sharing the in-patient advocacy duties with others.

 A personal advocate can be a valuable resource.  Remember, an advocate doesn't have to be a relative--and it can be more than one person--as long as they know the patient and are willing to speak up.

Hospitals can be frightening and overwhelming places, particularly if you are worried about someone who is sick.  Do the best job that you can to speak up and advocate for the patient. 

We hope that the information we shared this month will be helpful to you as you help your family and friends during an in-patient hospitalization.  But, if things seem overwhelming, or you don't know which step to take next, give me a call.  My team of nurse advocates and I are happy to help.  We're nurses, it's what we do.

My cell is 215-694-1574.

 
Warmly,
Betty Long
Betty Long, RN, MHA
President and Founder
Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocate, Inc.
Did You Know?
Our eyes remain the same size
from birth to adulthood.
 

Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates, Inc.
PO Box 224, Flourtown, PA 19031 
215.836.0260

888-836-0260
Visit our website www.guardiannurses.com 
email
feedback@guardiannurses.com