Service of PULSE of NY

www.pulseofny.org

1(800) 96 PULSE

pulse516@aol.com

Mission Statement

Revised 2005PULSE is dedicated to raising awareness about patientsafety and reducing medical errors through advocacy,

education, and support. We work to empower the public tomake informed decisions, increase effective

communication and respect between healthcare providersand the public, and create community partnerships that willfoster and ultimately lead to safer healthcare environments.

We:• Provide support to patients and families who have

experienced medical errors or adverse events.

• Assist in reducing misunderstandings between patients andhealthcare providers.

• Educate the community about quality healthcare practice sothey may become knowledgeable, confident, and activeparticipants in their health care experience.

• Provide a platform for effective communication and workingpartnerships whereby the community works with healthcareproviders and institutions to proactively contribute to, andadvocate for safe quality care.

PULSE POLICIES:

PULSE Representatives;

• Encourage advocacy, partnership and education inhealthcare.

• Offers support, counseling and friendship.

• Encourages the use of real life stories in provider education.

• Does not use the names of facilities or healthcare providerspublicly.

• Does not give legal or medical advice or referrals.

• Only gives public statements to the press that adheres to ourmission.

• Participants do not share information discussed at meetingswith non-participants.

• Encourages record keeping of all avoidable adverse events

Teaching Teens AdvocacyPULSE has a fun and interactive program that educates

teens on their role as being active participants in their

Healthcare for the best possible outcome.

Some subjects include:

•Avoiding infections

•Communication

•Advocacy for yourself or your family members.

•Development for this program was funded in part by a

grant from NY State Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr.

Teaching Families Patient

AdvocacyPULSE works directly with patients and their families encouraging them to take an

active role as partners in their care. The Family Centered Patient Advocacy

Training Manual due in the fall of 2007 will help family and friends become

partners with medical professionals to improve outcomes in care. National patient

safety leaders participated in this project.

Funding for this project came from:

•Gilead Sciences Inc.

•Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund

•National Patient Safety Foundation

•North Shore LIJ Health System and

•NY State Senator Kemp Hannon

Sample LiteratureThis is just some of the information available from nationally recognized

patient safety organizations distributed by PULSE. Teen literature is the only

original information developed by PULSE. Other information distributed and

discussed during community health presentations comes from AHRQ, NPSF,

and The Joint Commission.

Most literature is donated.

Raising Awareness

Health literacy, communication and “teach back” methods are often discussed

during hospital and community presentations. Visuals are used during all

presentations and discussions to raise awareness of the dangers of medication

use and ways errors can happen.

Sharing Through Work GroupsCollaboration between medical professionals and community members are an

important part of the work PULSE does. All programs are developed with input

from all relevant parties. Medical professionals are usually invited to speak with

community members. Patients and families are often invited to share their

experiences.

Patient Safety can be Fun!

Events in the community can “celebrate” patient safety. PULSE tries to include the

community in “Patient Safety Awareness Week” activities.

Organizations / Affiliations• http://www.jointcommission.org/

– PULSE of NY President Ilene Corina is a member of the board of

the Joint Commission. Since 2005, she has been on numerous

committees and represents the public member of the board

• http://www.npsf.org/

– PULSE of NY President Ilene Corina is a board member of the

National Patient Safety Foundation and a founding member of

the NPSF Patient and Family Advisory Council. She co-chaired

the PFAC from 2002 – 2006.

www.sorryworks.net – Ilene Corina is a board member of Sorry

Works!

www.hospitalinfection.org- Ilene Corina is a coalition member of

RID

• Long Island Women’s Agenda

• Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of NY

Other Services:

• Speakers for community organizations and civic

groups.

– Rotary

– Kiwanis

– AARP

– PTA

– SEPTA

– Chamber of Commerce

– Senior Groups

– Churches

– Community Advisory Boards

All presentations include interactive discussions andmay include topics related to disclosure, the patientand families role in patient safety and / or supportservices following a medical injury

• Recent presentations for MedicalProfessionals:

Idaho Hospital Association

NY City Health and Hospital Corporation– Harlem Hospital

– Lincoln Hospital

– Jacobi Hospital………………………

Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi

Harvard Quality Colloquium

Family Centered Patient

Advocacy

• Training family and friends of patients to

advocate for the best care possible

through partnerships.

– Training available for medical professionals to

become educators.

Patient Consultant Services

• Helping the patient and the family prepare

for procedures, surgery or medical

treatment.

– Organize medications,

– Organize names and providers of health care,

– Review the health care proxy

– Discuss family involvement

and much, much more……………

Brochure and Film Review

• Community members and medical

professionals are available to review your

literature before it is distributed.

Public Service Announcements

• We will work with your organization to

develop PSA’s (samples available)

Support

• Support groups and counseling service

referrals for patients and the families

experiencing a medical error, adverse

event or unplanned outcome in health

care.

• Internet chat rooms moderated and peer

led developed for patients and families to

receive national and local support.

Contact

For more information about PULSE of NY, visit

www.pulseofny.org

Phone # (516) 579-4711

Fax # (516) 520-8105

E-Mail: PULSE516@aol.com

Community health education programs

related to patient safety can be developed for

your needs.