Who’s Really Advocating for You? The Critical Difference Between Hospital and Independent Patient Advocates
Written by Blaire Flamand RN, CCRN, CFRN, CHE; Lead Independent RN Patient Advocate, Founder of CompassHealth Advocacy & Education When navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, patients and their families often seek the...
The Big Beautiful Bill and You: What It Means for Your Safety in the Hospital
Whether you’re cheering its passage or not, the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) has sent shockwaves through the healthcare world. While its provisions don’t take effect until 2028, hospitals across the country are already making budget-driven...
The Big Risk We Don’t Talk About Enough: Medical Errors
When you walk into your doctor’s office or a hospital, you probably don’t immediately think about medical errors. Yet for those of us who’ve worked inside the healthcare system, we know they happen every day. They usually are...
Medical Inbox Detox: Reclaiming Mental Space in a World of Healthcare Noise
Patient portals and other technologies are in place to help patients, their families, and the healthcare team be better informed and enhance care coordination. Yet reality is telling a different story. If you’ve ever felt like your patient...
ABLE Accounts: A Payment Solution for Your Patient Advocacy Services
As an independent patient advocate, you know that one of the biggest challenges your clients face isn't just navigating the healthcare system—it's figuring out how to pay for your valuable services. While many of your clients recognize the...
Advocating For Sepsis Identification and Treatment
Sepsis is the body’s severe and potentially fatal response to an overwhelming infection. When a disease spreads into the bloodstream, the body’s immune system reacts intensely to combat it. However, this powerful response can sometimes...
Words Matter: Reframing Language to Support All Older Adults
Language Shapes Aging Experiences I just returned from a national conference where I had the privilege of hearing fantastic presentations from professionals in a variety of fields working with older adults. Again and again, I was reminded of...
Dental Advocacy: Bridging the Oral Health Crisis for Seniors
Oral health is a vital but often overlooked component of overall well-being—particularly for seniors. As adults age, they face a higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, and tooth loss, all of which can severely impact their...
Let’s Talk About Money: The Conversations We Avoid but Shouldn’t
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was searching for ways to give back—ways I could support the community in a strange and uncertain time. My advocacy business began as volunteer work. With a background in healthcare, particularly...
Why Every Patient Advocate Should Pack a Humor Toolkit: The Science-Backed Strategy That's Transforming Patient Care
After 35 years in medical communication, I've discovered that the most effective patient advocates aren't just armed with medical knowledge - they're equipped with something far more powerful: the ability to strategically deploy joy. The Medical...
What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist
What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist Why Being Prepared for the ER Matters A trip to the emergency room is often unexpected and stressful. I feel that – I'm an ER physician and it’s...
The Untapped Goldmine: Why Patient Advocates Are Missing Clients on the BBB
Here is a statistic that should stop every independent patient advocate in their tracks. According to a representative at the Better Business Bureau, within a 105-county territory in Texas, the BBB platform fielded over 10,000 searches for an...
Getting Help Navigating Your Health with ADHD
Managing and optimizing your health can be challenging with any condition, and ADHD is no different. Living with ADHD brings its own hurdles in many areas of life, including emotional, social, academic, and professional. Fortunately, you do not...
Take Control of Your Surgery: Why Proper Preparation Can Change Everything
These are the two questions I ask every patient and caregiver I meet who's facing major elective surgery. "Do you want to get better?" "Will you let me help you with a proven pathway to assist you?" Your answers will determine everything...
Owning Your Care: Agency, Advocacy, Responsibility, and the 50-50 Healthcare Partnership
We often hear the phrase “practice what you preach.” As both a physician and a patient, I’ve learned that nowhere is this more important than in how we navigate healthcare. Over the years, I’ve written about the importance...