Tara Parker-Pope writes for the New York Times about how she was able to help her family members receiving hospital inpatient care. As you likely know, it can be extremely difficult and stressful to try to help a loved one who is hospitalized. What you might not know is that patient advocates are available to come to the rescue.
Patient advocates serve as quarterbacks when you’re trying to get non-medical problems solved in the hospital. In Parker-Pope’s case, she wanted her dad, who was hospitalized for pneumonia, to be able to spend time with her step-mom, who was dying of Covid and also hospitalized. The patient advocate managed to get them into the same hospital room.
Patient advocates can help with treatment plans and visitation issues. They can help arrange for a loved one to stay with a patient overnight, a virtual Zoom visit, or a visit from a pet. They also can sometimes follow up with the medical care team to understand and explain to family members what is going on and the status of a loved one’s hospital care.
If there’s anything you need that is not billing-related or treatment-related, ask to speak to a patient advocate. Patient advocates are employed by the hospital, so there are limits to what they will do for you. There are also advocates you can hire, who are independent, but they tend to cost quite a bit.
How do you find the patient advocate at the hospital? Ask your patient’s nurse. Or, ask the hospital operator to direct you to the advocate. Sometimes, the advocate is a hospital social worker.
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