Page 21 - MCMcKinney Digest Guide

YOUR
SUPPORT
PERSON
is a friend
or family
member that can help during your stay in these ways:
• HELPS YOU KEEP TRACK of questions for your doctor about medicines, procedures, or treatments.
• KEEPS AN EYE ON YOU
for changes in your condition during and after your hospital stay, and asks for help on your behalf.
• HAS BEEN INTRODUCED to your healthcare team so that both of you are kept up-to-date on your care and responsibilities.
YOUR PATIENT ADVOCATE is usually a hospital
employee
that can
help during
your stay in
the following ways:
• TELLS you what to expect during your hospital stay.
• HELPS you understand your treatments, medications, procedures, surgeries/post-surgery care, tests or after hospital care instructions.
• ANSWERS questions about billing, payment and insurance.
• ARRANGES your transition from
the hospital to another treatment or living facility, and helps to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Before Surgery
• Be sure that your Surgical Team knows your NAME (Your ID band should have your correct name) and the TYPE OF SURGERY
you are having.
• Be sure that your Surgical Team knows if you have a mediport, pacemaker, insulin pump, or other device.
20
Your Surgical Team will mark your body part to be operated on. If you are not awake, be sure your Support Person knows:
• Your Surgical Team has marked the CORRECT BODY PART to be operated on and have matched
it with your NAME, BIRTH DATE and the SURGERY you are having.
Courtesy of The Joint Commission
SUPPORT, ADVOCATE, BEFORE SURGERY