To advocate for a hospitalized family member may be one of the most loving ways you can ever take care of them. Many hospitals are understaffed and employees are overworked. In these conditions; it is common for errors in charting, medication use, and general patient care to take place. As a family member, it is your right to step forward and advocate for your loved one. Here's how.
Instructions
1. Show up at the hospital at different times of day. Many hospitals have set visiting hours, but most are not strictly enforced.
By planning your visits at random times, you will have the opportunity to see for yourself how the patient appears and acts. Remember, you and other family members know this person BEST. If something doesn't feel right, or look right, question it.
If you have the opportunity to spend the night in the patient's room; by all means, do so ! It's not fun, but you can gain great insight in the differences between the night shift and the day shift medical procedures and patient care protocols.
2. Know the medications being used for your hospitalized family member. What are they ? Why are they receiving them ? Most medical personnel will answer your questions patiently. If they don't, find someone who will.
Many nurses will give more information than a doctor will and will take time to explain it out to you. In some instances, a patient will have several doctors overseeing their care; as well as, many different nurses. You'll quickly determine which ones are most likely to take the time to answer your questions and concerns about medication distribution.
3. Pay attention to the general care of your loved one. Take notice of whether they are being bathed, changed, and repositioned daily. Be aware if their actions or communication are, or are not, typical for them. Also, be watchful of the sanitation protocol of the hospital room and those who enter it daily.
4. Ask questions, get answers, know what's happening with your hospitalized loved one. If something seems not quite right, check into it. Follow your intuition and don't just go along with the old saying of doctor knows best.
The doctor and staff know medicine, but you know the patient.
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