Sick, Scared, and Separated from Loved Ones

Sick, Scared, and Separated from Loved Ones: A Report on NYS Hospital Visiting Policies and How Patient-Centered Approaches Can Promote Wellness and Safer Healthcare is a report that reviews and discusses visiting policies for large hospitals in New York State.  It finds that there is a wide disparity in patient access rules and poor communication about visiting rules all of which fly in the face of new state and federal regulations on the right of patients to have visitors.  “Hospital visitors often do a lot more than just cheer up a patient,” said Russ Haven, Legislative Counsel for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). “Loved ones can provide important observations and even prevent medical mistakes. Someone who knows the patient well, for example, may have a better understanding of the medications the patient takes than the hospital staff. Often they listen and take notes for the patient while the doctor talks,” Haven said.

The Summary and Recommendations are in the first four pages of the actual report with many substantive findings in the balance of the report.  CTCPS wants to learn about and share your experiences and thoughts on the importance of hospitals promoting a patient-centered approach and welcoming and encouraging loved ones to visit and participate in the care of hospitalized patients.