Krista Hughes, a nationally acclaimed patient health advocate, joins me to share about the importance of patient advocacy.

Episode At A Glance:

This week on The SavvyCast, Krista Hughes joins me to discuss patient health advocacy. Krista has over 25 years of medical experience and now serves as a nationally acclaimed patient advocate. She has clients all over the US, and she focuses on any type of healthcare. In this episode, Krista shares exactly what patient advocacy is, who can benefit from it, and how to be proactive about your health care!

Who Is Krista Hughes? 

Krista Hughes, BCPA, is a board-certified patient advocate and founder & CEO of Hughes Advocacy. Ms. Hughes advocates for better health care for her clients in Alabama and elsewhere. She has over 25 years of experience working in the medical industry, where she equips, empowers, educates, and teaches patients how to get the best care they need and deserve. Ms. Hughes has emerged as a national advocate for patients. She was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Beccera to serve a three-year term on the National Advisory Council (NAC) for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

A resident of Birmingham, Ms. Hughes is the first Alabamian known to have ever served on the prestigious council that addresses the quality of care in the United States. Additionally, she is an ambassador and committed partner with the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, a Patients for Patient Safety US Champion, a member of the National Patient Safety Board, and an active member of the Greater National Advocates Organization and Solace Health.  She is also an APHA Emeritus member of The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA), a former Board President of the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC), a former Board Member of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, and a former Emerging Leader of The Women’s Network (TWN).

Ms. Hughes believes in healthcare for all; patients should be treated equally with dignity, compassion, and respect. It is an honor and privilege to assist patients and their loved ones in their healthcare journey. Ms. Hughes is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama, where she earned a degree in communicative disorders.

Questions Answered In This Episode: 

• What is a patient advocate? How did it become Krista’s passion & profession?
• What is Hughes Advocacy?
• How frequently do people die from preventable medical errors?
• What are the most common kinds of medical errors?
• How can someone be proactive with their healthcare?
• What does a patient advocate do? Why is it important to have one?

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Connect With Krista Hughes on Instagram
• Hughes Advocacy Website
• Connect With Krista Hughes on LinkedIn
• Hospital Compare
• Hospital Safety Grades
• Leapfrog Hospital & Surgery Center Ratings
• Patient Safety Bill
• IHI Conference Forum 2022: Carole Hemmelgarn
• IHI Conference Forum 2022: Soojin Jun
• Family Savvy Smashed Potatoes recipe

I hope you enjoyed this episode! As always, if you have time to rate, review and subscribe to The SavvyCast on Apple Podcasts, it would be SO appreciated! If you would prefer to watch the podcast interview, check it out on Youtube. Blessings to you!!!

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