Most people don’t think about hiring a patient advocate until they’re already in the middle of a medical crisis.
The truth is, the best time to have a clinical nurse advocate is before you need one.
Recently, I received a call from a woman in her mid-70s who lived alone. She had been feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and close to fainting for several days. She had even called 911 once but refused to go to the hospital because she didn’t think it was serious and had no one to care for her dog.
After listening to her history and performing a nursing assessment, including orthostatic blood pressure measurements, I found significant changes in her blood pressure and heart rate when she changed positions. Those findings, combined with her symptoms, told me she needed emergency evaluation.
She agreed to let me take her to the hospital.
Testing revealed a critically low hemoglobin level of 7.2 g/dL. She was admitted, received blood transfusions, and underwent additional testing to determine the cause of her anemia.
That day is a perfect example of why patient advocacy matters.
More Than Someone Who Goes to the Hospital
A clinical nurse advocate helps patients understand what’s happening every step of the way. We explain medical information in plain language, help patients communicate with physicians, monitor test results through shared patient portals, and ensure important questions don’t go unanswered.
For patients who live alone, that support can be invaluable.
The Job Isn’t Over at Discharge
Leaving the hospital can be just as overwhelming as being admitted.
There are medications to understand, follow-up appointments to schedule, discharge instructions to remember, and new symptoms to watch for.
A patient advocate helps organize those next steps, making recovery safer and far less stressful.
Healthcare Is Complicated. You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone.
Many older adults have family members who live hours away. Others simply don’t have someone with medical knowledge to help them make important decisions.
That’s where a clinical nurse advocate can make all the difference.
Sometimes the right answer is calling your primary care provider. Sometimes it’s visiting an urgent care center. And sometimes, as in this case, it’s recognizing that the emergency department is the safest place to be.
Having an experienced registered nurse available to assess the situation and guide your next steps provides peace of mind when you need it most.
At Nightingale Patient Advocates, we believe no one should have to face a healthcare crisis alone.
The best time to hire an advocate isn’t during an emergency.
It’s before one ever happens.
