What We Do at "Independent Patient Advocate of the Sierras"
- Sierra Nurse
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 8
For those unfamiliar with the medical field, understanding your medical records and grasping your patient rights can be challenging.
At Patient Advocate of the Sierras, we assist you in navigating this complex and confusing realm.
The owner, an independent Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), has over ten years of nursing experience in the fields of mental health, substance abuse, adult autism, patients on 5150 holds, and conservatorships, as defined under the Lanterman Petris Short (LPS) Act of California.
How We Help:
If you are a mental health patient, recovering from substance abuse, suspect you are an adult on the autism spectrum, or doubt the legitimacy of an involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility under a 5150 Hold, the Independent Patient Advocate of the Sierras can provide several services for you, such as:
Chart auditing
Chart interpretation
Resource connections
Legal team assistance
Correspondence drafting
Assistance with drafting complaints
Assistance requesting record corrections
Providing you with information to empower yourself
Why Hire an independent Board Certified Patient Advocate?
In most States, it is mandatory for each County to provide a Patient Advocate to assist the public with healthcare-related issues. Additionally, most hospitals and facilities employ a patient advocate to support their patients.
The challenge with these particular patient advocates is that they are paid by the same institutions with which patients might have conflicts. This situation clearly leads to a conflict of interest, as the advocate's ability to assist might be restricted by their employer. Specifically, if a hospital or facility policy has caused harm, the advocate may not be able to effectively support you.
What Makes Us Different?
At Patient Advocate of the Sierras, Our Board Certified Patient Advocate operates independently. Our advocate is not employed by any institutions or government entities* that may be directly involved in your clinical care. She has no conflicts of interest with the facilities or organizations you may be struggling with.
According to WIC section 5325 of the Lanterman Petris Short (LPS) Act, one of the "undeniable rights" granted to patients, whether they are voluntarily or involuntarily receiving mental health care, is:
"To see and receive the services of a patient advocate who has no direct or indirect clinical or administrative responsibility for the person receiving mental health services."
Rights under WIC 5325 cannot be waived as a condition of admission to a facility, part of a treatment plan, or a right to be earned. Additionally, these rights cannot be waived by the patient or their conservator.
At Patient Advocate of the Sierras,
we work hard for you and only you!
We are dedicated solely to you and your family. We have no external commitments or financial ties that could lead to a conflict of interest in representing your needs.
If you're experiencing financial challenges and we determine you have a significant need for an independent advocate, we can arrange interest-free payment plans, sliding-scale fees, and in certain cases, we may even work pro bono for you or on a donation basis.
Contact us at info@patientadvocateofthesierras.com to find out about payment plans and how to receive 50% off our regular prices.
SERVICES OFFERED BY
THE INDEPENDENT PATIENT ADVOCATE OF THE SIERRAS
The standard of care you receive is greatly influenced by precise, truthful, and clear documentation. Your medical records must include only objective facts and should not contain subjective information, personal opinions, or judgments.
Understanding the narrative in a medical chart can feel like interpreting a foreign language. Patients may suspect misdiagnoses or errors in their records that result in inadequate care, yet they often struggle to identify these issues due to difficulty in reading their records.
With numerous hospitals and facilities facing staffing shortages, mistakes can happen. Yet even a simple mistake in a medical record can lead to confusion in providing appropriate care.
We conduct comprehensive audits of your medical records, ensuring all details are confirmed with you. We assist you in filing requests to correct any errors in your medical records as well.
Locating the appropriate resources for your specific needs can be challenging. Mental health patients often feel disregarded when seeking assistance. Furthermore, patients may be uncertain about where to start in finding the right resources for themselves.
Adults on the Autism spectrum, in particular, may encounter significant challenges when trying to get assistance. They are frequently misdiagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and prescribed medications that are neither suitable nor beneficial.
Our independent patient advocate is a nurse with more than ten years of experience in assisting mental health patients, individuals dealing with substance abuse, patients under 5150 holds, and adults on the autism spectrum. She recognizes that your needs are equally important as those of non-mental health patients and will assist you in navigating your situation, clarifying the resources you require, and guiding you on how to access them.
We can assist you in supporting your lawyer by conducting a thorough chart audit to identify any illegal or false documentation in your records that your legal team should know about**. Are you contesting a conservatorship or a civil rights violation? The Independent Patient Advocate of the Sierras can inform your legal team about any specific laws under the Lanterman Petris Short Act that were breached.
We are committed to ensuring that every patient is treated with dignity. Our goal is to assist you in supporting your legal team by interpreting chart records and reporting violations, making their work more efficient and effective.
**Please note we are not lawyers and cannot provide professional legal advice. However, we can inform your legal team of any inaccuracies or false/inappropriate documentation in medical records on your behalf. We can also help you explain your situation to your lawyer, if you feel you are not being understood
Did a particular member of your healthcare team mistreat you? Do you believe your Civil Rights were infringed upon during a hospital stay? Or were you subjected to unnecessary treatments?
Neglect and abuse can manifest in various ways. If you're struggling to file a complaint against a doctor, nurse, or any other staff member involved in care who you felt disregarded your wishes, or that you perceive as abusive or neglectful, we can assist you in locating the appropriate agency and help you draft a clear complaint to submit against the care team member you believe caused you harm.
If you're unsure about what specific type of assistance you require but know you need support, contact us at info@patientadvocateofthesierras.com and share your concerns.
We try to respond to all inquiries within two business days to inform you if, and how, we can assist!
*Our advocate adheres to all State and Federal laws, licensing board requirements, HIPAA laws, and all other applicable laws. Our advocate is not employed by any government entities, hospitals, or outside facilities. Our advocate does not give legal counsel or advice. Our advocate does not provide medical treatment or patient care. Our advocate provides administrative and other supportive services. We aim to empower you, first and foremost!
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