Be very afraid..."

...when you hear the words, "I'm here to help you." Traditionally this warning has applied to the Government. I'm afraid a logical extension could also accompany health care services, which are inextricably entwined with government services. Does  the person who is identified as a Patient Advocate or Patient Relations Contact function, wittingly or unwittingly, as an undercover agent for the legal department of a hospital.
     I read long ago that if  you or your child ever suffers an injury or incident at Disneyland, the first responders will be young employees, solicitous and caring about your misfortune, who ask all about the event, gather all the information, and while you may suppose it is for your benefit, they are careful, in their questioning, to extract any bit of information that could indicate negligence on your part. Their function is to absolve their employer of any wrongdoing.
   I don't think it too much of a stretch to apply that message to the health care industry.  If, say, a hospital, provides a contact person as a patient advocate, is it unreasonable to assume that the first loyalty  of the advocate is to the hospital where she is employed or stationed, rather than to members of the  unknown masses who are looking for a shoulder to cry on.  So to speak.