As a volunteer Chaplain for over 10 years and concerned member of our community I have known many empathetic and dedicated staff at NYP-Hudson Valley Hospital.  The care here is exceptional.  I am deeply disappointed though by the recent changes implemented at the hospital by management who have restricted community feedback, input, and recommendations for improved patient care. These changes include the elimination of volunteer patient representatives, the absence of a patient experience council, and restricted access for the staff member assigned to address patient complaints.  Additionally, the hospital's practice of sending out generic form letters in response to concerns is impersonal and undermines efforts to address patient care issues which weakens connections with our community.

Personal Story:
I recently had a personal experience at N.Y.P.-Hudson Valley Hospital that highlighted the need for restored and enhanced community feedback.  A friend was admitted to the hospital due to complications from her chronic illness.  Throughout her stay, I witnessed first hand how valuable it is for patients and their families to have a voice in their healthcare experiences.

However, I was shocked to learn that volunteer patient representatives were no longer available at this hospital when I offered to volunteer my services for this position.  These dedicated individuals played an essential role in advocating for patients' needs and ensuring their voices were heard. Their absence has left a significant void in our ability as a community to actively participate in shaping better healthcare practices.

Furthermore, without a patient experience council in place, there is no structured in person platform where patients can share their experiences or provide valuable input on how services can be improved. This lack of representation hinders progress towards enhancing overall patient care quality.

To make matters worse, accessing the one staff member assigned specifically for addressing patient complaints has become increasingly difficult.  There is no email or phone number listed for the Patient Representative in the hospital website and patient handouts.  Patients should feel empowered when voicing concerns about their care or suggesting improvements.  However, limited access obstructs this vital communication channel between patients and hospital administration.

Bedside Consents:  Patients have reported the surprising use of consent form devices for non urgent elective procedures at bedside. This is the worst time to read though a long legal form.  Such consents give doctors the power to do procedures and even surgeries patients may not fully understand with regard to recovery times and pain levels. We  believe there should be a hospital wide policy on required lead time for consent forms as to provide an opportunity for patients to be fully aware of what may take place during treatment.

It is crucial for N.Y.P.-Hudson Valley Hospital to recognize the importance of community feedback, input, and recommendations in improving patient care. By restoring volunteer patient representatives, establishing a patient experience council, ensuring accessible staff members for complaint resolution, and adopting a more personalized approach to addressing concerns, we can foster an environment that prioritizes patients' needs and strengthens trust within our community.

This is an opportunity to make your voice heard .NYP-Hudson Valley is a good Hospital. However our collectives voices can further improve the patient experience and community involvement. In summary, we sign this petition because.... WE CARE!

Pass along to family, friends, and neighbors.

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