Advocacy
Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au's primary mission is to promote patient safety and care by improving the health, well-being and effectiveness of healthcare professionals. We do this by offering confidential support and advocacy to physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, psychologists, medical residents, medical students, and other healthcare providers.
Provider Health Programs around the country have come a very long way in educating regulatory agencies, health organizations, medical insurance companies, medical liability companies and the community-at-large that many providers are able to maintain or regain their ability to safely function in the workplace. However, there are still significant minorities that continue to believe our organizations function without regard to the safety of patients.
Navigating these conflicting perceptions is always a challenge, which requires good communication and mutual trust between Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au and other organizations. We strive to maintain good relationships with the other organizations. In most cases, the missions of these very different organizations and agencies are not far apart. Most have a similar interest in the health of both the patients and the providers that care for them.
Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is best able to advocate for healthcare professionals by our ability to provide reasonable assurance that a healthcare worker is able to maintain or regain safe practice, so long as they remain in compliance. This often starts with an evaluation by a clinical team that is skilled in evaluation, diagnosis and management of provider health issues. Ongoing monitoring will show critical information regarding the provider's ability to manage the issue of concern.
We are often asked to provide evidence of compliance in different forms. For example, we may be asked to provide a letter or to meet with a hospital committee to monitor the provider's compliance. In any case, we strive to be flexible enough to bridge the needs of the healthcare providers and the community.
Provider Health Programs around the country have come a very long way in educating regulatory agencies, health organizations, medical insurance companies, medical liability companies and the community-at-large that many providers are able to maintain or regain their ability to safely function in the workplace. However, there are still significant minorities that continue to believe our organizations function without regard to the safety of patients.
Navigating these conflicting perceptions is always a challenge, which requires good communication and mutual trust between Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au and other organizations. We strive to maintain good relationships with the other organizations. In most cases, the missions of these very different organizations and agencies are not far apart. Most have a similar interest in the health of both the patients and the providers that care for them.
Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au is best able to advocate for healthcare professionals by our ability to provide reasonable assurance that a healthcare worker is able to maintain or regain safe practice, so long as they remain in compliance. This often starts with an evaluation by a clinical team that is skilled in evaluation, diagnosis and management of provider health issues. Ongoing monitoring will show critical information regarding the provider's ability to manage the issue of concern.
We are often asked to provide evidence of compliance in different forms. For example, we may be asked to provide a letter or to meet with a hospital committee to monitor the provider's compliance. In any case, we strive to be flexible enough to bridge the needs of the healthcare providers and the community.