WE LISTEN, WE LEARN, WE LEAD
Pulse CPSEA is not about your health. We are about your health care, the journey to the best health outcomes.
March, 2024
|
|
WE WILL SOON BE OFFERING FREE WORKSHOPS ON PROMOTING TAKECHARGE TO THE PUBLIC!
If you want to be a presenter to the community about patient advocacy, patient safety and becoming an informed and involved patient or caregiver, watch for an upcoming email to become a TakeCHARGE Ambassador!
|
|
How the TakeCHARGE Campaign (5 Steps to Safer Health Care) Benefits Persons with Breast Cancer
By Donalee Thomas
According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2021 more than 280,000 women in the United States would be diagnosed with breast cancer and some 43,600 would be expected to die of the disease. In addition, an estimated 2,650 men were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 530 were expected to die of the disease.1
The TakeCHARGE Campaign’s “5 Steps to Safer Health Care” are directly relevant to any patient receiving treatment for breast cancer:
Step 1: Understand and Complete Your Advance Directives
Understanding and completing your Advance Directives — specifically the healthcare proxy — and choosing a surrogate decision-maker is important, especially when you have a chronic disease such as breast cancer. The health care proxy form allows you to designate, in writing, a person who will express your values and desires related to your medical care when you are unable to make or communicate those important decisions. You can adjust your wishes — or the person chosen to make decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself — as your situation changes because of either new information or a change in your health.2
Step 2: Keep a Record of Your Medical History and Current Medications
Your medical history helps a clinician understand the whole picture of you as a patient, especially when you’re seeing a care provider for the first time, or when you see multiple providers. It provides a truer picture of your long-term health. Medication lists are important in that most medical practices will ask for a copy of this list when you sign on as a new patient. It’s a good idea to keep an up-to-date list handy (maybe on the refrigerator door) for emergencies; place a copy in your wallet or pocketbook, and give copies to family members.3
Step 3: Prepare for Doctor Visits/Make a List of Questions
It is always important to be prepared when visiting your physician. Facing a diagnosis of breast cancer can be a stressful experience for patients.4 Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will make your visit more productive.
Step 4: Prevent Infections/Ask Caregivers to Wash Their Hands
Hand hygiene is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs and to prevent infections. Ensuring doctors, nurses and other staff have clean hands is critical to prevent the spread of illness.
If you are to receive chemotherapy, your white blood count may be low and your body may not be able to fight off an infection. An infection during chemotherapy can lead to death.5
Patients and families are encouraged to speak up and ask health care providers if they washed their hands prior to entering the patient’s room and before touching the patient.6
Step 5: Use an Advocate/Be an Advocate for Others
A patient advocate helps to guide a patient through the healthcare system, especially through the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a medical condition such as cancer.7
Patient advocacy helps give patients a voice in their own medical care and keeps them informed about the treatments and procedures provided. Patient advocates can help to explain all that happens on the patient’s behalf. They also can help have their questions answered, and assist in walking them through potential treatment plans.
|
|
Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy
For more information, visit the website,
call (516) 579-4711 or email at info@PulseCPSEA.org .
|
|
Meet the Members of Pulse
There are many people who make up Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy. We want to be sure you know who they are!
|
|
C. Lynn Chevalier, DHSc, MPH (CPH), MS, CSSGB, CPC, Chairperson of the Pulse Board
Pulse: Thanks for talking to us, Lynn. Could we start by asking where you work?
Lynn Chevalier: I work as Assistant Professor in the College of Healthcare Sciences at Southeastern University in Florida, teaching evidence-based medicine, epidemiology, policy, statistics and research, medical writing — a lot of different courses. I’m also an Adjunct Professor at A.T. Still University.
Pulse: How long have you been part of Pulse, and how did you get involved?
LC: Oh, a long time! I met Ilene at a conference in New York State, and we became friendly. She recommended me for a post at the National Patient Safety Foundation. We had some great, great conversations.
Pulse: You are currently Chair of Pulse’s Board. How would you describe your role?
LC: I do odd things! I help with events . . . . it’s like all of us: if we have expertise in something we try to do that if it’s helpful, and then we help each other. I think everybody kind of has to do that and work together.
Pulse: And why do you continue to remain involved?
LC: Because I certainly believe in patient safety, equality, patients understanding the healthcare system, preventing medical error — really, preventing ‘bad health care’. [I want to prevent] people not understanding what their health care means: all of that is what I teach in my patient safety course. That’s a full semester patient safety course. A lot of things that happen here influence what I teach there.
Pulse: Finally, let’s say you meet somebody who’s never heard of Pulse and asks what it’s all about. What would you want them to know?
LC: That Pulse is really an advocacy organization looking out for the best interests of patients. And Pulse’s teaching: teaching patients, teaching providers, teaching the general public and each other how do we support people being their own advocates in the healthcare system. How do we ensure that the healthcare system is accountable for safe care? So we have to be advocates, we have to teach people (and they teach us!). We have to listen to their stories, that’s very important, right?
|
|
ARE YOU THINKING OF BECOMING A PATIENT SUPPORT PERSON, CAREGIVER OR ADVOCATE?
START WITH FREE PULSE PROGRAMS AND BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT!
|
|
Patient Activation through Community Conversations (PACC)
What Would You Do?
Patient Activation through Community Conversations (PACC) is a program where people share their experiences so others can take away important information that would be of benefit to a caregiver or someone recently receiving a new diagnosis or entering the healthcare system. PACC encourages finding solutions through what has worked for others.
PACC’s offer CEs for Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPAs)
PACC's meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Next PACC is April - No Programs in March
|
|
People for Patient Safety (PPS)
The mix of healthcare professionals and patient advocates makes this program supportive, engaging and educational. PPS is for networking and to build resources and support as an advocate and/or caregiver. PPS is the second Monday of the month 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
Next PPS is in April - No Programs in March
|
|
Advocates Collaborative Educational Series (ACES)
The Advocates Collaborative Educational Series (ACES) is a national online program where patient advocates — independent, professional or family caregivers — can learn and grow through educational programs designed to engage participants in thought-provoking exercises. ACES is the fourth Monday of the month at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Next ACES is in April - No Programs in March
|
|
The Pulse Patient Advocate Academy is Always Growing!
Many courses are approved for Board Certified Patient Advocate CEs, (General, and Ethics).
Over 40 training and educational videos.
Below is a sample of one.
|
|
 |
Like a Birthing Doula brings a baby into the world in a warm and celebratory way, an End-of-Life Doula helps people transition out of the world in a warm and peaceful way.
An End-of-Life Doula guides and supports a person near the end of their life emotionally, spiritually, practically and physically. We are non-medical; we are not a health aide.
Dying is the second leading fear globally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No One Should Have to Enter the Healthcare System Alone,
Now No One Has To
|
|
For Caregivers, Patient Advocates and Anyone Who Uses the Healthcare System
You can learn to navigate the healthcare system for yourself, your friends, and your family, or as a professional patient support person. Take Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy’s Family-Centered Patient Advocacy training.
In this two-day course you will learn about patient safety and the many ways patients and their support teams can be involved in reducing medical errors.
|
|
The event is open to all, both individuals and professional patient advocates. |
|
Thank You to Our Sponsors! |
|
A nationwide campaign!
Call for a free presentation for:
- Your community
- Association
- Civic organization
- Faith community
- Staff or corporate gatherings
- Libraries
- High school
- Families
|
|
The 5 Steps:
- Understand and Complete Your Advance Directives
- Keep a Record of Your Medical History and Current Medications
- Prepare for Doctor Visits/Make a List of Questions
- Prevent Infections/Ask Caregivers to Wash Their Hands
- Use an Advocate/Be an Advocate for Others
|
|
Like what we do? You can help. Pulse is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety through advocacy, education and support. Donations are tax deductible. Donate or volunteer!
|
|
All programs of Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy are about people who may become patients or support patients. Even if you work in healthcare, you may someday be a patient or find yourself advocating for a loved one. Because medical errors are a leading cause of death in the United States, we at Pulse recognize the need for the patient and family to take some responsibility for their own safety. For that reason, all of our programs help to prepare people to become more informed and involved! Visit and learn more here.
|
|
Need an Advocate?
At Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy we do not charge for our advocacy services. Our services are not long-term, and we encourage your family and friends to become part of your team. Not sure what you need? We are here to help you figure that out. (516) 579-4711
|
|
Need a speaker for your organization? We are available in person or via Zoom! Contact Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy at (516) 579-4711 and we will arrange for a speaker to present on any of a number of topics around patient safety, becoming a patient advocate or preparing to be a patient. We are happy to put a panel together for you too, on a number of topics! Let's talk!
|
|
|
|
Family Advocacy Consultation by Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy |
|
|
|
Change the World with Your Spare Change
The spare change left from a dollar when using your credit card or debit card can help support Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy!
"I donated $4.20 and didn't even miss it!"
-A Pulse Roundup App Donor
|
Here's How
Go to the RoundUpApp, sign up or log in, and type in Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy – set your amount and leave your card number. There is nothing else for you to do!
Because Every Little Bit Helps a Lot!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
