Patient navigators a growing field in healthcare
Patient navigators may be coming soon to your hospital—if your hospital doesn’t already use them. Patient navigators are staff members whose jobs consist of helping patients find their way through the confusing world of medical tests, procedures, inpatient stays, and discharges, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer. Programs across the country are sprouting up, and although not every one uses the term “navigator,” the intent is the same: Help sick, anxious patients better understand and utilize the healthcare system.
Many cancer centers are employing patient navigators, reports the Inquirer, because cancer care is so unique. However, some hospitals also use navigators more in the disease management role, for patients with chronic diseases like diabetes. The idea is not a new one—case managers have been helping patients in this role for years, but now more facilities are embracing the role as healthcare remains a complex system.
To read more about patient navigators, click here to find the full Philadelphia Inquirer story.
Has your hospital employed patient navigators? Have you found that they help increase patient safety and patient satisfaction?
About the Author: Heather Comak is a Managing Editor at HCPro, Inc., where she is the editor of the monthly publication Briefings on Patient Safety, as well as patient safety-related books, webcasts, and audio conferences. She is also is the Assistant Director of the Association for Healthcare Accreditation Professionals (www.accreditationprofessional.com) and manages Patient Safety Monitor (www.patientsafetymonitor.com), of which this blog is a part.
Contact Heather by e-mailing hcomak@hcpro.com
