About Sibley's Patient Advocate
What is a Patient Advocate?
The patient advocate is a resource for:
- Patients
- Families of patients
- Staff
- Physicians
As part of our mission to provide quality health services to all, the patient advocate acts as a liaison between a patient and their family and hospital staff.
What does a patient advocate do?
The patient advocate addresses concerns and forwards suggestions in order to ensure optimal care for our patients and family members. The patient advocate will become involved and focus on:
- improving communication
- accessing information
- addressing concerns
- resolving difficulties with patients and staff
Why is a patient advocate needed?
Hospitalization and illness can be very stressful and disruptive for the patient, their family and other loved ones. There are times when a patient may need to speak to someone other than clinical staff. It is normal for a patient to experience emotions that make it difficult for them to address their needs and concerns.
What happens when the patient advocate is contacted?
Any patient or staff member has the right to simply discuss the situation. This can be done by:
- telephone
- in writing, by letter or e-mail
- in person at the patient’s bedside
- in the patient advocate’s office
- in a private area
The patient advocate will contact the nurse manager and/or physician to alert them that there is a patient concern.
The patient advocate will offer suggestions about what can be done to address the concern. It is always the optimal result if the staff on the unit is able to resolve the concern immediately.
No further action will be taken unless the patient advocate is requested to file a formal complaint by the patient or family member. At that point, it will be entered into the Peminic database and e-mailed to the appropriate supervisor.
Confidentiality is respected and maintained. The focus is on the best interest of the patient.
Contact Information
To contact our patient advocate,
click here. Be sure to select "
Patient Advocate Issue" from the "
Concerning" dropdown menu. If your issue is submitted between 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, your issue will be responded to within 2 business days.