WE LISTEN, WE LEARN, WE LEAD

The Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy was founded in 1996 as a support group for people harmed by their medical care and incorporated soon after as Pulse of NY. The name was changed in 2016 to reflect our community based educational programs in patient safety and advocacy. Our goal has always been to empower patients and their families to be active members of their healthcare teams and support them through this journey. Research shows that involved and informed patients get better results. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the country and cost the economy as much as $20 billion a year.

Pulse programs are a combination of guidance from national patient safety organizations and solutions garnered from the stories shared by patients and families about what works for them. Participants in our interactive community presentations and workshops learn from each other’s experiences with the support of Pulse trained facilitators. In addition to raising awareness about preventing medical errors in community meetings, Pulse offers bedside advocacy support, and training of friends and family to be skilled patient advocates for their loved ones. Our Family Centered Patient Advocate Training is also useful for starting a career as a professional patient advocate.

In keeping with our vision of a world in which the patient’s voice is heard and no one is harmed by their health care, we promote health care equity with our Healthcare Equality Project. We explore challenges faced by vulnerable populations in small group sessions and develop solutions by listening to participants’ stories and ideas. When it comes to Pulse’ work in the community our motto is: We Listen, We Learn, We Lead.

Whether it’s at the bedside, in the classroom, or at a workshop, participants in Pulse programs are encouraged to communicate and partner with their healthcare providers. Eighty-nine percent of attendees reported that they will change their behavior because of what they learned through Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy. We never charge for our advocacy services.

To help support this ongoing work, consider making Pulse your charities of choice this year.

SOME OF THE CURRENT PROGRAMS AT THE PULSE CENTER FOR PATIENT SAFETY

see what people are saying about us

Workshop participant

There was a great flow to the presentation and it was easy to understand. I think the role playing portion was very helpful.

Workshop participant

Good presentation. Very good tools provided. Role plays were very effective to make points and see what may happen.

JCC Member

Excellent speaker that informed us of things we weren't aware of before.

Workshop participant

A much needed help in the communities.

Workshop participant

Excellent, excellent workshop.

Participant at a professional workshop on caring for patients with disabilities

Very informative. Reinforced the importance of caring & sensitivity to patients with disabilities.

Workshop participant

Good program. Need more frequency.

Workshop participant

Excellent, very informative.

From Professionals

Jean Rexford

Connecticut Center for Patient Safety

"Thank you. You did exactly what I had hoped you would do....inspire us."

Susan Okun, LCSW

High School Social Worker

“Your enthusiasm and commitment to helping teens increase awareness about patient safety and good healthcare infused your classroom presentation. You had vital and timely information to share and did so in an engaging manner.”

Henri R. Manasse Jr., PhD, ScD, R.PH

President, National Conference of Pharmaceutical Organizations

“Your presentation “The Patient Perspective on Quality and Safety” was highly relevant and well received. More so, it will be useful to our members as we work together to unite the different perspectives of the pharmacy profession to best serve our patients and communities.”

Anne Matkovics

FAHQ Conference Planning Team Member

“The audience evaluations rated several items including: presenters methodology, question management, use of time, and the program met personal goals. Your overall rating was 3.9 of a possible 4- that is excellent!”

David S. Kountz, MD

Director, Medical Grand Rounds, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Speakers such as you help create high quality and standards for our Medical School and its programs.

J. Lyle Bootman, PhD and Linda Cronenwett, PhD, RN

Co-Chairs, IOM Committee on Identifying and Preventing Medication Errors

With your participation on the patient-consumer panel, the committee members gained a better understanding the needs, values, and preferences of patients and consumers that directly affect patient safety and medication management, a key element of the committee's charge.

Kyle Dooley Kinder

Vice President, Educational Services, Hospital Association

“Your brave perspective as a survivor and national patient consultant really got the audience’s attention.”

From Patients and Families

Stacey

I was my husband's (Michael) advocate on many occasions, relating to his brain tumor diagnosis in 2007. The doctor insisted on managing the tumor on his own without a neurologist who would be the specialist for this condition. I was persistent in following up because of my knowledge, some of which was acquired through PULSE. The actions taken were: Verifying medication type and dosage and insisted on seeing a specialist in the field of pituitary adenomas, the kind of tumor he has.

Kyle

I am a medical professional and a transgender man, (a man born in a female body). When I went for a hysterectomy, it was beneficial to the medical staff as well as myself to have Ilene Corina from PULSE, a trained, professional patient safety advocate. The doctor wanted to put me on a post-partum floor and Ilene was able to convince the doctor not to. Further, the advocate was able to answer very personal and difficult questions of staff so I was able to concentrate on healing.

Susan

Ilene herself met with me and encouraged me to create a written record of all previous surgeries, allergies, and prescriptions I was taking. Since I thought I had finished with all medical treatments, I followed Ilene's suggestions more as a fanciful friendly duty. I was very grateful though later that year when I was again referred to another surgeon for a different medical concern. How comforting and reassuring was it to me to have my list of surgeries ready and available as well as the prescriptions and allergies. I was able to fill out my medical history easily and completely and with confidence that I was giving the new doctor an accurate medical history which no doubt helped him to treat me as well.

Anne

Ilene Corina from PULSE trained the woman who was my advocate when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A recent widow, I was overwhelmed by the diagnosis and feeling alone and very vulnerable. My advocate accompanied me to my pre-surgical doctor visits and helped me to ask the questions I had discussed with her beforehand. She calmly recorded the various treatment options as they were proposed and was able to discuss them again with me later as I mulled over which treatment path I would take.

Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy is not affiliated with any other organizations.
To find out if you have representation from Pulse CPSEA in your area or to become a representative call us today!

CONTACT 516-579-4711