Patients Advocating for Themselves We are all familiar with sayings like, look out for number one, or if you don’t care for yourself, no one else will. There is some truth to that, and if a patient is hospitalized and requiring care, they should be encouraged to advocate for themselves in regards to their medical care. Patients have a right to refuse treatment or medications. It’s generally not a wise decision to do so. In most cases the doctor has ordered the right course of treatment and care. If, however, a patient or their family feels strongly that things should be done or ordered differently that prescribed by the physician, this would be a time to speak up and explain the reason. There are occasions that patient care may need to go beyond the serving of a meal, and the administration of medication. As a nurse, you are limited to a certain amount of time with each patient, which can limit the time you spend with any and all points. The family and the patient should be encouraged to speak up if they need anything, and this should be said with conviction. Related:
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A Patients Story Lucy, a 34-year-old female contracted what was assumed to be a flu virus. She was sick the day before Thanksgiving, and with her doctor's office closed, she visited a local emergency room. Both Lucy and her mom were certain she had pneumonia, as she was coughing the chest sounded very irritated. The doctor advised Lucy that her blood test indicated no infection, and that whatever she had was viral. Lucy went home, still very ill and a temperature of 102. Thanksgiving Day, Lucy was sick and in bed. Her mom was very concerned, and when she was no better on Friday, she mentioned Lucy should return to the emergency room. Visiting family members all were offering their advice, most saying that if the first doctor indicated it was viral and had to run its course. Lucy’s mom would not give up, her intuition said take her in. Friday afternoon Lucy’s mom took her back to the hospital, after making the decision, something was not right, her daughter needed to be reexamined. She decided to ignore her friends and other family member’s advice, and insist her daughter go back to the emergency room. After a brief exam and a chest x-ray, they were told Lucy had a very serious case of bacterial pneumonia. Under normal circumstances a blood test would show this, which is why the first physician didn't believe it was bacterial. There is however some cases that are unique, and require a chest
x-ray to confirm. In this case, Lucy was too sick to advocate for herself, but her mom insisted on a second opinion and it may have saved her life. Doctors do their best in most cases to administer the best treatment; however, doctors are human and can make a mistake. Asking for a second opinion is perfectly acceptable, especially in a case that a patient is not in agreement with the physician. Related: Recognizing Patient Allergies There are other means of advocating as well, for instance if a patient needs to speak up for what they feel is best for them. The physician may not agree, but a patient has a right to express their wishes, even if the physician decides not to go with that course of treatment. Patients that advocate for them actually make a better patient because they are more content. As a nurse, you feel comfortable if the patient has a need. They will express it. Just to clarify, a patient advocating for themselves while hospitalized is not constant complaining. Advocating is a legitimate request, delivered in a professional manner. Patients that request 5-starresort treatment while hospitalized are not advocating; they are asking for something that is unrealistic. Most patients and family members just want to make sure that they or their loved one is receiving the best treatment and care, just as anyone would want for a family member. There is a team when it comes to a hospitalized patient, from the doctor and nurses, to the supportive family members and the patient themselves. Working together on the same goal is the best way to ensure the wellbeing of the patient, and the best possible outcome. Related:
International Nurses Association
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