Hospitals are dangerous places. Layoffs have reduced the number of nurses and other staff. Tragic errors occur far too frequently. Rushing doctors and nurses don't always communicate well with patients, and with each other.

When you're hospitalized with an acute health crisis, you need someone in your corner. Someone who'll put your needs first. Someone who'll make sure your doctors have the best information they need about you. Someone to make sure your most important needs are known and met.

You'll want someone to talk with you beforehand, to meet an ally, to tell you what to expect and when you expect it, what you can ask for, and how. You'll want help during your hospital stay, to answer your questions, to ask the right questions on your behalf, and to ensure you get the best care from medical staff.

New! For advice and stories on protecting family members in the healthcare system, see our new blog http://patientadvocare.blogspot.com/.  Our family members need us to help them get the best possible medical care. When they're ill, we and they need to know how to advocate most effectively, and work best, with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. In focusing on the needs of family caregivers and their patients, the blog provides advice to keep our parents, children and other loved ones with acute or chronic illnesses healthy and safe from medical errors.

The blog is a place for readers to tell and hear stories about the medical care they have seen and experienced, to give advice and get advice. It helps patients and advocates to be knowledgeable, pro-active, and empowered partners with their doctors and nurses.

Have a story to tell? Frustrated with a health problem? Want advice from a navigator/advocate?
See: http://patientadvocare.blogspot.com/

Ken has been advising doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other clinicians in hospitals for more than 10 years on ways to improve the quality of care. He and his clients in a six-hospital system won the top patient safety award in the field-the $25,000 First Annual Premier Award for Hospital Medication Safety. Through his consulting practice, he has worked extensively with doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff. Ken has published articles about this in several medical journals, and has made more than 20 conference presentations on the quality of care. Ken received a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.