The Importance of the (Deaf) patient and selecting the (Deaf) patient advocate

G'day Everyone.

Early last December, we started on some topics "The Importance of" series. Most of these are medical related.

For a refresher of what I wrote:
http://thedeafsherlock.blogspot.com/2008/12/interpreters-in-hospitals-on-mandatory.html

http://thedeafsherlock.blogspot.com/2008/12/importance-of-living-will-and-health.html

http://thedeafsherlock.blogspot.com/2008/12/importance-of-hospital-visitation.html

Today's post is about being the Deaf patient and selecting the right Deaf patient advocate.

Being a Deaf patient in a hospital is very important. You are going to be the one STUCK in bed (some times, depending on what the procedure it is). It's not fun. It can be a scary and frightening situation. Unless you prepare yourself ahead of time, the road to recovery can be a challenge. Even for a DEAF patient.

So, let's get prepared for this.

First: the living will. What is a living will? I know I covered this in importance of Living wills and health care proxy post. But this makes it clear:
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/wills_and_trusts/article7.asp

It also leads you to a few sites that you can make a living will for free and have it printed out on your printer. Just be sure to have a lawyer to look it over and then have it notarized. The living will is important for the patient because if you tell someone how you want to be cared for, especially you are not going to fully recover from something of a serious situation, then you want it known how you want to peacefully pass on from this life.

Once you have it done and notarized, keep one to give to the hospital, one to give to your doctor, one for your family, and one to give to the (Deaf) Patient Advocate. As long as you make it clear of your final wishes, you are giving authority to the (Deaf) Patient Advocate to carry out that wish. It doesn't make it really as for anyone. But you need to choose the RIGHT Deaf Patient Advocate.

So, let me share a few suggestions as I understand from this website:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/living-wills/HA00014,

It's all about choosing the (deaf) patient advocate. Remember, these are suggestions.

I'm not going to go over the entire web page from that site, but to be clear about a few things.
In choosing a (Deaf) Patient Advocate, here are some guide lines that I can understand of:

1. Choose the (deaf) patient advocate as some one who's NOT a family member. It may be the wise choice but remember, you want some you trust that will carry out your wishes for you. You can be sure that not only your family members know what's going on, but the burden is put on the (deaf) patient advocate. How many times have I seen and an End-of-life decision get ignored when the deaf patient wants to die and the family doesn't? Ergo, choose someone OUTSIDE your family. Someone who doesn't live in your house.

2. Don't choose your doctor. That leads to conflicts of ethics and controversy situations. Your doctor needs to focus on trying to help you, not going against your wishes.

3. When choosing the (deaf) Patient Advocate, it must be someone you can TRUST and are comfortable with. You want someone who shares your medical philosophy and care. I would also suggest that it should be a person who lives with-in your area or with-in the state that can be contacted. That way if the (deaf) patient advocate is needed in person, they can get there quickly as possible.

4. Choose a person who is a rational, mature and calm person in a crisis. This is going to be very important. If a (deaf) Patient Advocate is someone who is short-tempered, emotional, and has a tendency to push people to try to get others to get something done immediately, then you better keep looking. You want the BEST ADVOCATE you can have to represent you.

5. Have at least 2 (deaf) Patient Advocates selected. The reason why I said that is because if one is not available for help, the other person can step in for you. Very important that both, current Patient Advocate and the back-up patient advocates, work together.

When you have chosen your (deaf) patient advocate, you need to make the time to sit down and go over your medical history with your advocate. DO THIS IN ADVANCE OF GOING TO THE HOSPITAL! Do go over your advanced directives and see if your (Deaf) Patient Advocate representative has any personal objections to your wishes. Make sure he understands them (your medical related choices) clearly and morally. *You both must be on the same level*. Make sure your doctor and hospital knows who your (deaf) patient advocate is as well as your family and friends.

Make sure your (deaf) patient advocate is well aware about the ADA laws and that you both (The deaf patient and the deaf patient advocate) have a right to see that an interpreter is present for meetings with the doctors. But do have pen and paper ready at times when you do not have an interpreter. Communication is important!

Most importantly, make sure your (deaf) patient advocate buys a NOTE BOOK and takes NOTES! The role of the patient advocate is not only to take care of the deaf patient, but takes notes like an observer of what's going on around the patient and in the room. With the (deaf) patient in bed to focus on getting better, the (deaf) patient advocate represents the patient outside the bed. Remember, the notebook is going to be very important to document information. Information that will later be important for the lawyer to use should something go wrong with the (deaf) patient.

Also, I want to say something clear. (Deaf) Patient Advocates, please remember this: You are representing the (deaf) patient. You are the one that is being the communicator for the patient. Your actions can be reflected right back to the patient. So in saying this, I ask that you be kind, be gentle, and BE PATIENT. Of course, the doctors and nurses are busy! They have other patients as well. But if you are patient for them, then they will see you being worthy patient advocate representative and will diligently work with you. Take time to listen and you'll learn as much as the patient learns.
*BUT* I must warn you. Any type of threat or getting angry with the hospital staff can and will end your right to represent the (deaf) patient then and there. It can also be used against you in court as well.
So please, your job as a (deaf) patient advocate is an important role. As long as you say mature and kind words, you'll be respected. So will your patient as well.

I hope this helps for all patients and their advocates.

Semper FI.