Seattle Patient Advocates

(206) 528-5885. Contact form preferred.

Seattle Patient Advocates

better healthcare, less stress

Why hire an independent Patient Advocate?

confidence

stress reduction

confidence

Having an Advocate at your side can significantly improve your recall of the information given and what you need to do with that information, especially if you are not feeling well, are feeling scared or overwhelmed, or are tired or in pain. Your independent advocate will take notes, written in everyday plain English, that you can use to

An Advocate will work with you to clarify your priorities and goals, and to communicate your treatment preferences and decisions to your medical team with confidence.

We have all realized after a medical appointment, that we forgot some of our questions or don't remember exactly what the doctor said. There are some fascinating studies about what patients recall from a medical appointment. These statistics from a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (J R Soc Med. 2003 May; 96(5): 219–222) are astounding:

40-80% of medical information provided by healthcare practitioners is forgotten immediately.
The greater the amount of information presented, the lower the proportion correctly recalled.
Almost half of the information that is remembered is incorrect.

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safety

stress reduction

confidence

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Read that again. Is it any wonder why everyone should have an advocate at their side, especially when in the hospital?

It is estimated that one in every 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care. It is also estimated that there is one medication error per patient p

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Read that again. Is it any wonder why everyone should have an advocate at their side, especially when in the hospital?

It is estimated that one in every 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care. It is also estimated that there is one medication error per patient per hospital day.

The times of highest risk are during transitions of care (from one facility to another or from one provider to another -- even just shift change at the hospital) and during the administration of medications.

Every hospital clinician will tell you that it's invaluable for a patient to have an advocate at their bedside -- and a medically-knowledgeable person adds even more value. An advocate serves as a second pair of eyes as well as offering continuity that may not be present among the staff.

Here's an interesting article related to medication errors.

https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/124922-be-a-patient-advocate-to-prevent-medication-errors

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Washington Post article: Hospital patients need an advocate at their side to avoid medical errors

Stress Monitor Overwhelm Time Energy Fatigue Healing Help Independent Health Advocate Patient

stress reduction

You are already doing so much to monitor your health or that of your loved one. Between work, family, and health concerns, it can just be too much. I'm here to help you carry the load. I can do the legwork that is consuming your time and energy and wearing you down. Long phone calls are frustrating and just zap a person's energy.

I c

I can concisely clarify and summarize all the moving parts impacting your care and facilitate the forward progress that you need and deserve.

You need your energy for healing.

This is a time to accept help.

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Code of Ethics for Board Certified Patient Advocates

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Professional Integrity

Advocates practice with compassion and respect.
Advocates understand and respect boundaries.
Advocates must disclose any conflicts of interest.

Client Privacy and Confidentiality

Advocates recognize that privacy is an essential component of every client relationship.
Advocates are required to be familiar with the respective reporting mandates in the states where they practice and comply with the procedures in place to report suspected abuse or neglect of clients or other individuals to the appropriate authorities.

Technology Safeguards

Advocates commit to safeguarding all forms of electronic communications, including information obtained from telehealth and virtual appointments/meetings, electronic medical records (EMRs), client/patient portals, and any other form of electronic communications.

Best Practices and Professional Education

To best serve their clients, Advocates are committed to lifelong learning to keep their knowledge and skills current, hone their professional expertise, and stay abreast of current conditions in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
If a client needs assistance in an area where the Advocate does not have sufficient knowledge or training, Advocates will refer the client to the appropriate system or resource for assistance.

Fostering Informed Decision Making

Advocates strive to provide their clients with all the information that will facilitate informed decision-making.
Advocates strive to provide their clients with all the information that will facilitate informed decision-making.
Advocates should strongly encourage clients to complete necessary state-specific advance care planning documentation.

Professional Conduct

Advocates are personally and professionally accountable for their actions; they must avoid impropriety and maintain professional boundaries and practices at all times.
Advocates may not accept remuneration for making referrals to other providers or services; may not steer clients to products or services from which the advocate will profit financially or earn a commission; may not accept paid advertising on their websites from outside product or service providers, and may not require a client to purchase or subscribe to any outside service in order to benefit from the Advocate’s services.
Advocates will not discriminate and will abide by the federal protections for protected classes.

Respect for Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Justice

Advocates will practice with cultural sensitivity and work to provide services that are responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy, and other communication needs.
Advocates strive to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity.

The Code of Ethics can be read in its entirety here:

https://www.pacboard.org/wp-content/uploads/20220427-COE-Final.pdf