Patient Advocacy

We've just gone through an 8 week hospital nightmare with my father and have had to go nose to nose with nurses and doctors (through 3 holidays).  We were counting on these virtual strangers in the ICU and AMCU to make decisions for our loved one and I know exactly what you mean about trying to not be confrontational while getting your point across.  They act like they've "seen it all" and yet some of them are just so young it's hard to trust them.  Anyway, thanks for sharing that, and good for you in trusting your judgement. 

Sometimes you just have to be the B____. You have to protect your loved one whatever the cost. Every time my husband is in the ER I cannot leave his side. Our's is a teaching hospital and therefore crawling with residents. When in the ER you are at their disposal. The patient becomes a learning tool. They will examine every inch and enter every cavity in your body (after asking the cargiver to leave the room - never do this!) I have to become the B____ and throw them out of the room. They try intimidation but I know better and after I've stood my ground they retreat in a huff. Thankfully, the director of faculty med (their boss) is my husband's internal med doc. So when they call him to complain about this angry wife of a patient he shows up and all is well.

You have to know the patient's medical history - what works and what doesn't because sometimes the patients can't speak for themselves. I keep his history updated in my computer and put a copy in a special folder that I give to EMS and ER personnel. It helps them alot by giving them all the info they need to do their job. I know it's hard but hang in there. Don't ever compromise the patient's health just to keep the peace.

Another comment I would like to add to my other post.

My husband's cardiac case manager (who has become our best friend over the years) said it best I think. She said that if every health care professional had to go through what we do they would perform their job with a whole lot more compassion and understanding. Too bad you can't learn these things in school. But, after all they are God-given virtues aren't they?