Being a Patient Advocate

Patient Advocacy for Vulnerable Adults

At Branch Law Firm® our New Mexico attorneys are committed to protecting vulnerable adults receiving care through hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare agencies. As personal injury lawyers we talk with many clients who wonder how the errors and malpractice in their cases could occur. In many cases the answer is the same: healthcare is a business, and these institutions are focused on profits not on patients. It is important that every patient have a friend, family member, or private duty nurse who will serve as a patient advocate.

Are you concerned about a vulnerable adult? It is important that a friend or family member serve as a patient advocate for any person in a hospital or nursing home. If you suspect elder abuse or neglect, contact an attorney today and arrange a free consultation at our Albuquerque office.

Role of a Patient Advocate in Protecting a Vulnerable Adult

A healthcare advocate for a patient will be one person who the patient (or if the patient is incapacitated, the court-appointed guardian) has designated to monitor the patient's medical care. The advocate may have a healthcare power of attorney or limited power of attorney giving the advocate the right to see the patient's medical records. The advocate can take responsibility for a variety of actions:

• Checking the patient frequently – actually checking under the gown for bedsores, watching for bruises, signs of dehydration, malnutrition, over medication, or other signs of nursing home neglect or abuse
• Talking with prescribing physicians about the reason for medication and examining medical records to see that the medication is dispensed properly
• Installing and maintaining a video-monitoring system to provide a record of patient care

Nursing home patient rights are outlined under New Mexico and federal standards for nursing home care. If you are concerned about the care of a vulnerable adult and the care facility is not allowing a patient advocate to properly monitor care, or if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused, please take immediate measures to help.

Call 1-800-828-4529 or e-mail our Albuquerque office. An experienced nursing malpractice lawyer will provide a free consultation.