Two Portals Worth Knowing About
I thoroughly enjoy mentoring young professionals. When I do, I emphasize the power of networking and suggest they identify approaches for staying in touch with fabulous people they meet along the way. This newsletter, Healthassist News, is an...
Why Are You Involved?
As a nurse advocate, I recently returned to taking clients on in my practice. My role is to help coordinate care, break down barriers, and find the resources my patients need to address their healthcare needs. I work with all members of the...
Maximizing the Capability of a Loved One With Dementia Benefits Everyone
Editors Note: This is a guest blog by Anthony Cirillo that was originally published on July 2, 2021 on sixtyandme.com/maximizing-cognitive-capability-dementia. You can learn more about Anthony and Carol Amos, who is the subject of this blog, at...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 6: The Bottom
Editor's note: This is part 6 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. You didn’t think I was going to skip “the bottom...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 5: Chinese Medicine
Editor's note: This is part 5 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. I am in Colorado. I jumped right off the plane...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 4: Alternatives?
Editor's note: This is part 4 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. I had a pelvis and abdominal MRI in one sitting...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 3: The Second Opinion
Editor's note: This is part 3 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. I got a second opinion. It surprised me. The...
The ABCs of EOBs
Has ANYONE ever looked at an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) and thought “oh, this is easy to understand?” I bet very few people would say that. EOBs are definitely not written in plain language. There are codes, there are a bunch of numbers in...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 2: Scanxiety
Editor's note: This is part 2 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. It’s called “Scanxiety” when you get really...
The Ovarian Cancer Chronicles Part 1: Recurrence
Editor's note: This is part 1 in a series of introspective blogs written by Antra Boyd, iRNPA detailing her personal journey as an Independent Patient Advocate and recurrent ovarian cancer patient. It was my first visit to my gyn/onc in six months...
Solving The Mystery of an Unsafe Hospital Discharge
Have you or someone you know been hospitalized and discharged with a poor understanding of the follow-up care plan? Have you ever left a hospital without a clear understanding of why specific procedures occurred in the first place? A recent client...
Don't Be a Complacent Patient
We start with a crisis. Blood sugars are high and out of control. Panic sets in. Frantically searching for answers provides a temporary solution. You relax and return to “normal” until the cycle repeats itself again. I had a client who kept...
Unsafe Hospital Discharge?
Have you or someone you know been hospitalized and discharged with a poor understanding of the follow-up care plan? Do you have a clear understanding of why specific procedures occurred while in the hospital? A recent client had this experience...
Health Care Hokey Pokey--Put Your Whole Self In For a Positive Outcome
It is a naïve thought, but I am going to share it anyway. Wouldn’t it be great if health care was not categorized as either physical health or mental health? Why isn’t it all just called health care? We have one body, in which all of the systems...
My Loved One Is In the Hospital and I Don’t Know What To Do
Having a loved one in the hospital is frightening. Hospitals are large, sterile, and intimidating, often leading people to feel helpless. Here are some strategies that can help assure your loved one gets the best possible care. Be Prepared First...