Amplifying the Patient’s Voice

Martha’s Rule is a new policy that aims to give patients and the patient’s families greater voice in the the care their loved one is receiving without the fear of retribution or the like. Had this rule existed in 2021, perhaps Martha’s outcome would have been very different.

As Martha’s mother said, “‘I desperately wish that I’d felt able, with no fear of being the target of ill-temper or condescension, to ask for a second opinion from outside the liver team when I became concerned about Martha’s deterioration.’”

Click here to read about Martha’s Rule.

A Must Read

If you are scrambling to get things done and can only read one thing, consider reading this Twitter thread by Conor Browne.

What’s Really Happening in Hospitals?

Must-read Thread

If you have only time to read one Twitter thread, consider reading this one by @SadafShllwani.

“Last night around 6pm I went to visit my dad at #LTC. When I got there his diaper, pants, and wheelchair were soiled while he sat in the TV room with other residents. There was a pool of urine under his wheelchair. I couldn’t find any staff.” Click here to continue reading.

Long-Term Care: Interest and Input

Are you interested in long-term care and its related issues? Would like to help create new standards for LTC homes? If you answered “Yes” to these questions, check out the following.

Home to Hospital to Home

If you are free on Friday, March 5th, 2021 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., (MT) why not join in the conversation about the home to hospital to home transition. What role can patients, family, and caregivers play in this transition?
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/patient-and-family-hospital-transition-guideline-orientation-tickets-140172582969?keep_tld=1

Facility-based care?

Alberta Health is conducting a review that focuses on supportive living and long-term care in Alberta. The goal of this initiative is to improve “the lives of continuing care residents and their families, resident care outcomes, the satisfaction and quality of work environment of staff, and the cost effectiveness of facility-based continuing care service delivery.” Included as part of the review are the thoughts and input of Albertans regarding the future of facility-based continuing care in the province. Click here to share your ideas about this important issue.

Visiting at What Cost?

Visiting loved ones in long-term care facilities during COVID-19 has been difficult at best. However, accommodations and adaptations by both facilities and families/friends have been done to make “visiting” loved ones possible.

Unfortunately, the visiting-related actions of an individual in Calgary may have compromised future visits as well as the health and well-being of residents and staff. Click here to read the story.

How Safe is Your Care?

If you are interested in patient safety and have some personal experiences to share, here is an opportunity that might be on interest to you.