PULSE of NY and North Shore-LIJ Team Up for Patient Advocate Training
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Barbara DeVoe explains the
procedure to the group |
WANTAGH, NY -- PULSE of NY recently held its second annual Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training class at the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) and its high-tech Patient Safety Institute (PSI), attracting a group of 15 community-minded individuals from the region and out-of-state.
The full-day training covered the basic information about how to become an effective patient safety advocate for family members and friends. The motivation for attending the course varied --some participants were considering a career change and others who had some experiences advocating for family or friends in a healthcare setting wanted more information to sharpen their skills. The course was taught by PULSE board members Charles Cal, RN, MBA, who is also director of program evaluation at the North Shore-LIJ Krasnoff Quality Management Institute, and Leslie Farrington, MD, a gynecologist of Freeport, along with Barbara DeVoe, DNP, director of clinical education programs at CLI’s Patient Safety Institute. Ilene Corina, president of PULSE of NY, helped organize the program and has taught similar trainings.
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Barbara DeVoe speaks to the group
following a simulation |
The Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training class combined lectures, interactive sessions and hands-on training at the PSI, which uses computerized mannequins as patients as teaching tools in a realistic healthcare setting. The PSI houses high-tech simulation labs resembling hospital rooms and feature life-like “patient simulators” that respond like real patients. The facility – one of the largest of its kind in the country – is used to train doctors, nurses, medical students and other healthcare
professionals to hone their clinical skills to prevent medical errors.
Using the simulation lab, participants had an opportunity to interact with clinicians and practice their communications skills when a doctor or nurse didn’t wash their hands, answer their questions or follow hospital protocol. The training was videotaped and the rest of the group watched from a nearby classroom on a large screen as the situation unfolded. After the scenario, participants joined the group for a debriefing.
“I learned a tremendous amount,” said David Wiesenberg, who traveled from Maryland the night before to attend the class. “The course gave me a new perspective on doctor-patient communication; I learned more than I anticipated.” Mr. Wiesenberg had an opportunity to practice his skills in the hospital room as an advocate for “Barbara” the mannequin patient who was preparing for knee surgery. Barbara was scared and crying and didn’t understand the consent form. The physician, played by an actor from the center, handed the consent to Mr. Wiesenberg who was going to help the doctor explain to a crying patient about her upcoming surgery.
“The signed consent form indicates that the doctor and patient have had the discussion about the procedure that allows the patient to make an informed choice to have it done," explained Dr. Farrington at the debriefing. “The doctor, not the advocate must explain the consent form to the patient."
Another participant, Mary Brower from Syosset, said, “This program is an eye opener for anyone who could end up as a patient or an advocate for a loved one.” Ms. Brower’s son was recently diagnosed with a serious genetic disorder and has spent countless hours advocating on behalf of her son and other family members.
“Everyday lives are saved by the people who work in our healthcare system, and in most cases, outcomes are wonderful,” said Ms. Corina. “This advocacy training gives non-clinical people the tools to help ensure the best possible outcome for their loved ones.”
Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training began in 2006 as an offshoot for PULSE of NY, when it published Family Centered Patient Advocacy, A Training Manual. PULSE of NY has been conducting patient safety education in the community since1996, when group members began educating the public on New York State Physician Profile information, which became available to the public as law through the New York State Patient Safety Center in 2000. In addition to all-day courses, the PULSE of NY provides patient safety education for the community as well as advocacy training for one to three-hour classes. The program can be brought to community groups or held at the North Shore-LIJ’s facility. Workshops are developed based on the needs of course participants.
To learn more about Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training or future trainings, visit: www.pulseofny.org or call (516) 579-4711.
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