Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training

PULSE of NY and North Shore-LIJ Team Up for Patient Advocate Training

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.

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.

For more information about CLI’s Patient Safety Institute, visit: http://www.northshorelij.com/NSLIJ/The+Patient+Safety+Institute

# # #

PULSE of NY Update June 6, 2011

Join Dr. Leslie Farrington for a discussion and lesson in the Doctor Patient Partnership:

Dr. Leslie Farrington, gynecologist and instructor in PULSE of NY Family Centered Patient Advocacy, will lead this FREE interactive seminar to empower participants to optimize health outcomes for themselves and others.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 8pm

WHERE:La Mystika 1812 Merrick Rd, Merrick

RSVP: 516 377 0985

Join a dinner discussion beforehand at Montana'sin Freeport 13 Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, N.Y, 11520 at 6:30 PM. RSVP by Noon on Wed 6/8 for reservations. Call (516) 579-4711 or e-mail icorina@aol.com and come enjoy an informal dinner and discussion about communication to be continued at the workshop in Merrick!

For more information call: (516) 579-4711 or (516) 377-0985

BROWN BAG IT!
Friday June 10, 2011 Time 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Bring your medication to the Freeport Public Library and meet with faculty from St. John's School of Pharmacy and learn about the medication you are taking. Include vitamins supplements and
herbs. Get more information from this flier. Reservations get priority seating and we already have one full seating filled!

SUPPORT GROUP AND DISCUSSION
Survivors of medical injuries and families are invited to gather for friendship and a discussion.

WHEN: Sunday June 12, 2011 3:00 - 5:00 PM

WHERE: South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation

228 South Ocean Ave, Freeport LI NY

RSVP call (516) 579-4711

Bring a snack to share.

Survivors include: Misdiagnosis, surgery errors, hospital acquired infections and more.

News Worth Sharing

1 in 3 patients harmed during hospital stay

prl20418.htm

♦

What is Collaborative Law and why aren't we seeing more of it? Learn about Collaborative Law by Kathleen Clark, PhD, JD, MAM, The Collaborative Continuum Associated Adverse Events

♦

Video Based Simulation Training: a computer-based, video-simulation training program on infection control practices for clinicians, health professional students, and patient advocates. Read more here; Partnering to Heal; Teaming Up Against Healthcare Associated Infections

♦

AAP Encourages Pediatricians to Admit Errors:

Patient safety has become one of the key issues in modern medicine, particularly in pediatrics, but clinicians need to go beyond error prevention and be willing to admit when errors occur, according to a policy statement in Pediatrics. Read more here; http://e2ma.net/go/7089644180/208580199/223311617/1408045/goto:http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/PreventiveCare/26757

PULSE of NY is saddened by the passing of long time supporter Peter Amico and this update is dedicated to him and his family.

Are you sharing this information? Anyone can sign up for PULSE of NY updates at PULSE of NY Updates

PULSE of NY wishes to thank the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation for their on-going support

Train to be a Patient Safety Advocate!

Patient Safety Advocacy Training Spots Still Open

(March 2011) Registration is open for Long Island’s community based patient safety advocate training. The PULSE of NY, Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training to be held May 2, 2011 in Lake Success at the North Shore LIJ Center for Learning and Innovation. Training will focus on the family, friends and community helping a patient through medical treatment including an injury, long term diagnosis or surgery as well as those who may want to think of patient advocacy as a career.

In a 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine was that every year as many as 98,000 people die in hospitals each year from preventable medical errors^(1). Many more are injured or die in nursing homes or at home. A more recent study in July 2006 from the IOM that medication Errors Injure 1.5 Million people and cost billions of dollars annually ^(2). The recommendation for improvement includes steps to increase communication and improve interactions between health care professionals and patients.

In 2006 PULSE of NY, a grassroots patient safety organization studied the role of the patient and family and the expected relationship between the patient’s community support system and the healthcare system. Through focus groups, surveys and interviews, PULSE of NY developed the handbook “Family Centered Patient Advocacy”. A curriculum was built around the information from that book and small group trainings have been offered since 2007. The training has evolved to include Critical Communication⁽³⁾ skills, simulations of true experiences and quizzes to test the audience’s skills.

This full day of training will cover many of the skills needed to help a family member feel empowered, understand the healthcare system better or pick up a new career of advocacy.

Training will start with education about hospital policies, standards and a history of patient safety. Communication skills will complete the morning. The afternoon session participants will be able to practice their skills in a simulation room with mannequin simulators and actors. Those not participating will view the volunteers on a large screen and have an opportunity to debrief about their experience.

Discounts and scholarships are available.

Contact: Ilene Corina: (516) 579-4711

About PULSE:

PULSE is a nonprofit 501 (c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety and reducing medical errors through advocacy, education, and support. We work to empower the public to make informed decisions, increase effective communication and respect between healthcare providers and the public, and create community partnerships that will foster and ultimately lead to safer healthcare environments.

1 http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309068371&page=1

2 http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11623

3 http://www.pulseofny.org/Communication.html

Obama Launches Partnership for Patients

Obama Launches Partnership for Patients

The Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs is a new public-private partnership that will help improve the quality, safety and affordability of health care for all Americans.

The Obama Administration has launched the Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs, a new public-private partnership that will help improve the quality, safety, and affordability of health care for all Americans. The Partnership for Patients brings together leaders of major hospitals, employers, physicians, nurses, and patient advocates along with state and federal governments in a shared effort to make hospital care safer, more reliable, and less costly.

The two goals of this new partnership are to:

(1) Keep patients from getting injured or sicker. By the end of 2013, preventable hospital-acquired conditions would decrease by 40% compared to 2010. Achieving this goal would mean approximately 1.8 million fewer injuries to patients with more than 60,000 lives saved over three years.

(2) Help patients heal without complication. By the end of 2013, preventable complications during a transition from one care setting to another would be decreased so that all hospital readmissions would be reduced by 20% compared to 2010. Achieving this goal would mean more than 1.6 million patients would recover from illness without suffering a preventable complication requiring re-hospitalization within 30 days of discharge.

Achieving these goals will save lives and prevent injuries to millions of Americans, and has the potential to save up to $35 billion dollars across the health care system, including up to $10 billion in Medicare savings, over the next three years. Over the next ten years, it could reduce costs to Medicare by about $50 billion and result in billions more in Medicaid savings. This will help put our nation on the path toward a more sustainable health care system.

Building on Local and National Work to Improve Patient Safety

In 1999, the landmark Institute of Medicine study, “To Err is Human,” estimated that as many as 98,000 Americans die every year from preventable medical errors. Despite many successful efforts, this statistic has not improved much in the following decade. And many more patients get injured or sicker from preventable adverse events after being admitted to a hospital. After more than a decade of work to understand and address these problems, promising examples of better practices exist, but patients too often are still injured in the course of receiving care. At any given time, about one in every 20 patients have an infection related to their hospital care.

· On average, one in seven Medicare beneficiaries is harmed in the course of their care, costing the government an estimated $4.4 billion every year.

· Nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from the hospital is readmitted within 30 days – that’s approximately 2.6 million seniors at a cost of over $26 billion every year.

· The recently formed Innovation Center at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services intends to dedicate over $500 million to test models of safer care delivery and promote implementation of best practices in patient safety. CMS will also provide $500 million for a Community-based Care Transition Program created by the Affordable Care Act to support hospitals and community based organizations in helping Medicare beneficiaries at high risk for readmission to the hospital safely transition from the hospital to other care settings.

Watch a video http://www.healthcare.gov/news/videos/index.html

Or learn more at Healthcare.gov

PULSE of NY Supports

National Healthcare Decisions Day

April 16, 2011

“This is the most important document you will ever sign” was emphasized by an elder-care attorney, speaking to a group of seniors at an assisted living complex. The paper he held in his hand was a health care proxy, which documents the person you designate to speak for you in a crisis, should you not be able to speak for yourself.

“The reason it is so important is because it pertains to your life – not your money, your possessions or your assets”. One needs only to fill out a single two sided sheet of paper, witnessed by two persons. This is an advanced directive, a legal document not requiring an attorney.

You can spell out your wishes, regarding CPR, ventilation, hydration – whatever you feel is best for you, or you can leave it up to the person you designate. The most important part is that you keep in touch with the designated person, your proxy, and have an ongoing conversation about your life.

National Healthcare Decisions Day, on April 16^th, exists to remind all people, regardless of age or current health status, of the importance of making these decisions known. Everyone over the age of 18 should fill out this important paper at once and keep it in a safe place. Make copies for your proxy and family members and encourage your loved ones to do the same. To get more information or download a proxy visit www.pulseofny.org

Patricia A. Mulholland, RN

Board Member, Hospice Care Network

PULSE of NY, Patient Safety Advisory Council

About Hospice Care Network: Hospice Care Network believes in making every day count for the patient diagnosed with advanced illness. The focus is on caring, not curing, to allow the patient to live in peace and with dignity, surrounded by their friends and family in the environment they are most comfortable. Our hospice services gives special care to support the family throughout the advanced illness experience. Hospice Care Network cares for patients of all ages, religions, races and illnesses in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties.

About PULSE of NY: PULSE of New York is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety and reducing medical errors through advocacy, education, and support. We work to empower the public to make informed decisions, increase effective communication and respect between healthcare providers and the public, and create community partnerships that will foster and ultimately lead to safer healthcare environments.

PULSE Update March 15, 2011

About PULSE:PULSE of New York is dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety and reducing medical errors through advocacy, education, and support. We work to empower the public to make informed decisions, increase effective communication and respect between healthcare providers and the public, and create community partnerships that will foster and ultimately lead to safer healthcare environments.
What happens when the advocate becomes the patient? Read about what happened on my blog here: Rants of a Patient Safety Advocate

Recently In the News:

Selling Out Injured Baby Rights
New York State's Governor Andrew Cuomo will be judged harshly by history if he doesn't reverse his position supporting limiting the legal rights of brain damaged babies. Imagine a life-time $250,000 cap on pain and suffering and families having to endure a burdensome and humiliating struggle to get medical bills paid as they arise from an insurance funded entity.
Read more : http://www.nader.org/index.php?/archives/2248-Selling-Out-Injured-Baby-Rights.html

Radiation Safety
Newswise — As part of Patient Safety Awareness Week, the American College of Radiology (ACR) reminds patients that everyone should understand radiology benefits and risks before they or a loved one receives an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan or other medical imaging exam. Before undergoing a scan, patients should ask their physician...
Read more: http://www.newswise.com/articles/radiation-safety-during-patient-safety-awareness-week

New Guide From AHRQ Instruct on TeamSTEPPS TeamSTEPPS® Instructor Guide
The TeamSTEPPS Instructor Guide is designed to help you develop and deploy a customized plan to train your staff in teamwork skills and lead a medical teamwork improvement initiative in your organization from initial concept development through to sustainment of positive changes.
Get more information here: http://www.ahrq.gov/teamsteppstools/instructor/index.html

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Releases Healthcare Quality Report.
Highlights From the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports
Health care seeks to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease and to improve the physical and mental well-being of all Americans. Across the lifespan, health care helps people stay healthy, recover from illness, live with chronic disease or disability, and cope with death and dying. Quality health care delivers these services in ways that are safe, timely, patient centered, efficient, and equitable. Read more herehttp://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nhqr10/nhqr10.pdf

Learn more about PULSE of NY at www.pulseofny.org

PULSE Update March 8, 2011 Patient Safety Awareness Week

March 8, 2011

Patient Safety Awareness Week

March 6-12, 2011

Visit the NPSF website for more information on Patient Safety Awareness Week!

Here’s another tool to help you choose a hospital. Does your local hospital celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week? This annual event, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation is designed to highlight improved patient-provider communication as a vital part of keeping patients safe. See where there are celebrations this year here.

Patient Safety Awareness Week

March 6-12, 2011

The Joint Commission celebrates Patient Safety Awareness Week with a new Speak Up video! This just released video is free to anyone who wants to encourage the patient and /or their family to Speak Up. This is the first of a series being introduced by The Joint Commission an independent, not-for-profit organization who accredits and certifies more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the

United States

Learn more about Speak Up!

PULSE of NY Training

Sign up now for our Empathy Training. Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing, but most of us learn early on that we are expected to "fix-it" when others are in pain. Groups will be small so register early here!

About the instructors: Anne Fleming and Barbara Singer have been facilitating Compassionate Communication classes at the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Freeport since 2005. Their 13-week course is presented on Saturday mornings in the fall and spring of each year.

See What's New at PULSE of NY

See the PULSE of NY Programs and Tools! See how we can help you!

Meet the Patient Safety Advisory Council Members for 2011.

The Patient Safety Advisory Council (PSAC) was developed to have a wide-reaching impact on improving patient safety awareness in local communities while strengthening ties with health care providers and studying patient safety needs and how they differ or are the same for each other or other patients.

If you are a community leader, and want to be involved in the Patient Safety Advisory Council in New York, or, to start one in your community call (516) 579-4711 and see how we can help.

Learn to be a Patient Safety Advocate
for Your Friends, Family and People Who Need You

Moms and wives often say they can advocate for their family.
But who will advocate for mom when she is sick?

Next Class May 2, 2011

This 8 hour certificate program encourages the partnership between patient and provider and can be offered in your community! You get the participants, we do the rest!

Meet the May 2, 2011 instructors:

Charles E. Cal., MS, MBA, R.N., Mr. Cal is the Director of Program Evaluation at the Krasnoff Quality Management Institute, a division of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and Adjunct Professor at New York Medical College, Valhalla, and Baruch College, New York City. He holds two Masters degrees from Adelphi University, one in Nursing Administration and another in Business Management. His expertise is in the coordination and development of quality management curricula.

Leslie Farrington, MD Leslie Farrington is a practicing gynecologist on Long Island. She completed her training at Long Island Jewish in 1989 and has been practicing and teaching at LIJ, now part of the North Shore LIJ Health System for most of the past 20 years. Dr. Farrington was involved in the planning and participation of the PULSE Patient Safety Health Fair for Patient Safety Awareness Week in March 2006. She was active in developing the curriculum for the Family Centered Patient Advocacy Training and has co-presented numerous patient advocate training workshops. Dr. Farrington is presently training in Compassionate Communication and has been involved in developing presentations for healthcare workers using compassionate communication skills.

Help us to continue our services with a tax deductible donation to PULSE of NY that will help defray the costs of our programs. In most cases, we do not charge for services. We count on the support of people like you! Donations, in any amount can be made by credit card here or, to save our credit card handling fees, send your donation directly to PULSE of NY PO Box 353 Wantagh NY 11793-0353. To learn more about PULSE of NY, and how we can help the community you serve, call (516) 579-4711.