Tips on Being a Hospital Patient Advocate
Before this year, Estelle and I can count on one hand all the hospital admissions for both of us. Now I’m beginning to feel like an experienced patient advocate. Given Estelle’s blindness and the nature of her health issues this year, I always felt I had to stay in the room with her 24x7 unless a friend was standing in for a bit. You learn a lot when you do that and follow what is going on hour by hour. So, here are my suggestions if you are a patient advocate, I’ll assume you’re an advocate for your spouse here but it could obviously be another loved one or friend. And, it probably goes without saying, if you are the patient, do not go alone if you can avoid it at all. Find someone who can at least meet you there if not take you there. Should your spouse go to the Emergency Room? While never eager to be in a hospital, we’ve learned there are times that is the best choice. Our choice in 2019 in South Africa to go to the emergency room with my unusual indigestion-like symptoms...