Personal experience and testimonies have led to this plea for change. Since the emergence of COVID-19, countless individuals including myself have witnessed loved ones who have been denied the right to have continuous familial or designated advocate support during their hospital stay. Spouses or family members are often denied remaining with a patient overnight or refused entry because of isolated policies such as shift changes, blood withdrawals or other similar and frankly routine procedures. Unfortunately, there have been many instances when patients have passed away alone and without family or loved ones at their side. It is a heartbreaking reality that should not persist.

We propose a change which we call the, No One Left Alone (NOLA) act. This act would mandate that all hospitals operating in the United States be required to allow patients to have a family member, designated representative or personal advocate of their choice present with the patient 24/7 absent specific exclusions such as actual life-threatening administration (CPR, etc.), or an actual operation in a surgical environment of the patient. No hospital may negate this mandate in the case of a pandemic or any other federal or state emergency orders of any kind. However, if an advocate contracts an illness as a direct result of ignoring these specific warnings, the medical facility may not be held financially responsible for the contraction of any illness due to their physical presence at the facility on behalf of their loved one.

This representative, be it a spouse, close family member, or any chosen individual by the patient (pre-selected or otherwise), should be allowed to stay with the patient round the clock, attend any and all medical inquiry or doctor/patient treatment plans, or any other discussion pertaining to the explicit treatment of the patient under care at a hospital facility. If the patient has not previously designated a family representative, and is unable to verbally or consciously advise hospital staff of who they wish to be their advocate, it shall be a predetermined authorization for a spouse, child over 18, parent (regardless of the age of the patient), or grand-parent to be automatically allowed to stay with the family member for any length of time at their bedside. 

This act does not intend to allow the advocate to intercede for treatment decisions unless that person is the spouse or parent and /or has been previously designated as the medical care designee. However, the advocate shall have full rights to make inquires to clarify a recommended medical procedure or treatment plan and to suggest or recommend other courses of action.  

The consistent presence of a loved one has been scientifically proven to have beneficial effects on a patient's recovery rates. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that patients with accompanying family members had lower rates of readmission to the hospital. No hospital should be allowed to negate such positive benefits by leaving the patients alone against their will.

The well-being of a patient extends beyond just physical health. Psychological and emotional comfort plays a crucial role, especially when faced with an injury requiring medical hospitalization. By supporting this petition, you are endorsing empathy, comfort, and the right of every patient to decide who can stay with them during their most vulnerable moments and assist them in making medical treatment decisions. Many, if not all, medical hospitalizations can be overwhelming and a patient most of the time may have problems processing all that is being explained to them by medical staff. Having another person present hearing all a medical professional may be explaining can be extremely helpful, and it should be the patients right to have a person seeking the patients best interest immersed in the conversations with the patient. 

This act in no way forces a hospital to provide a comfortable place for that advocate to sleep nor does it allow for an advocate to crowd a room with excess supplies such as waters or food or anything that would crowd a patient room. A single chair per patient would be the minimum requirement that a hospital supply for an advocate or family member of a patient.

Please sign this petition and promote this cause to demonstrate that patient care should be comprehensive, compassionate, and considerate.