health care literacy-advocacy and finding common grounds

I am reminded of the responsibility of nurses to advocate for the patient,their families and their profession through health care literacy. Through conversations with colleagues, patients, and families we need to sort out what is needed to be known, where care can be obtained, how to do what is needed to be done to promote the highest level of health for the individual. Nurses often meet patients and families by chance and by necessity. The relationship's fluidity depends on needs very much in the present with hopefully a look to the future.

This entry may be a trifle like being on a soapbox-but I have a reason.
Holding each other accountable has been a lot on my mind. Maybe it is because I have been a nurse for over 35 years. Maybe it because for me it is always about the patient and my peers. Or maybe it is because of my believe that "there is no I in teamwork"

whatever the case, health care literacy creeps up without a limited place or prime time time slot due to the fluidity of circumstances and needs. Health needs do not stop at 4:30 or on a week end or on a holiday. Knowing how to access information and having the access is part of the doctor/nurse/patient/family partnership needed for health care literacy that make a difference in the lives of people.

NURSES are UNIQUE and are among the front line when patients and their families want information.

On a local level-we have a responsibility to care for our colleagues who care for our clients.
I am reminded that all of us have different ways of "doing things". Yet I am a believer that "someone has to do it..." We are all in this place together-this place call nursing.

On a public and political level-we have a responsibility to advocate by being involved and knowledgeable.
We need to maintain our competencies while staying informed.
To help patients navigate the growing information blitz, we need to know what they are seeing, hearing, and learning.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

What do we,as nurses, see when we see the following?
At the end of the day,I believe it is about connections, responsibilities, and accountability.
That is what I see, what do you see?
And again, I need to say everyone has different ways of "doing nursing".

UNITE for a healthy future
Sunday
September 12
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
CENTRAL PARK,NYC

LET'S CYCLE, THROW, JUMP, AND HOOP TO FIGHT
CANCER, DIABETES, HEART AND LONG DISEASE

Maybe we see ourselves, friends, family members, clients affected by these non-communicable diseases being addressed at the United Nations Summit.

I have two uncles who have cardiac issues secondary to diabetes (one had adequate care and one had no access to the things he needed to live and did not know who to ask). At work, we presently have 14 patients on a telehealth buddy system that transmits weights and vital signs for complications of Congestive Heart Failure. One of my colleagues I highly respect, has had to deal with bureaucracy of the medical field in assuring that her dying patient does not die with pain that can be relieved. She is the voice to help the family navigate the road to painlessness. Sometimes there is only health care ILLITERACY. I am proud to call her a friend as she sees what needs to be done, does it, all the while respecting the patient and the family. She explained the addictive myth that surrounds the use of medications for comfort.

Maybe we see a specific cause that we can advocate for to bring better health to people?

A personal favorite advocacy group is tudiabetes.org. This group through Mannie's leadership has brought faces to diabetes (and hands check out the site this was developed into a hospital unit in service and service project a number of years ago).
Through their site I was brought to the United Nations Summit and a connection to diabetes as a Global Epidemic.
Nurses are offered a way to join a personal political voice through the International diabetes Federation and their "O is for Outrage" campaign.
Nurses can give a voice to patients who have none or just are a whisper.

"O is for Outrage" is a call for President Obama to represent us-nurses, patients, and families at the UN Summit" by speaking to the Global epidemic of Diabetes

"we do not want the world to sleepwalk into a sick future that is avoidable" Ann Keeling, IDF, CEO

My plan is always to share.
I wrote my postcard and sent the site to some of my friends.
I hope to have my colleagues who can not go to NYC Jump rope and hoop when they come to the office to show our support.
Our hospital library has an audio CEU on congestive heart failure that gives us a CEU.

My children(now grown just send me paper money) and I have always collected pennies all year and decided on a cause-this year UNICEF won again. Food, water, and safety for children tear at my heart.
Yes, we have problems here in the US and for those who may criticize my belief in global professional advocacy-I do my local work also.

Health Care literacy is about knowing how to share what needs to be done, how to do it, and how to access what is needed to do what needs to be done.