2.3.2: Patient Bill of Rights
(Adapted from the American Hospital Association, 1992).
Remember, the patient is the most important member of the health care team. They have rights that all members of the health care team must respect and uphold.
- The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
- The patient has the right to obtain understandable information about their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. They have a right to be informed about the risks and benefits of all services and treatments received. Patients also have a right to know the identity (name, license, and health care provider role) of all people involved in their care (doctors, nurses, home health aides/personal care aides).
- The patient has a right to make decisions about the plan of care before receiving treatment. The patient also has the right to refuse any treatment, and to be informed about the medical consequences of refusing treatment. If the patient refuses a specific treatment or care, they still have the right to receive other care services, or to be provided with referrals to services outside of the agency or organization. The patient has the right to participate in the planning of their healthcare and to be informed of any changes in the plan of care prior to the change being made.
- The patient has the right to have an advanced directive or to designate a health care proxy to make decisions for them if they are unable to do so themselves.
- The patient has a right to privacy.
- The patient has a right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to their health and health care will be kept confidential by their healthcare providers, except in cases of suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by law.
- The patient has a right to review their health care records and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.
- The patient has a right to expect that within its capabilities an agency will make reasonable responses to a patient’s requests for medically indicated care and services. If an organization is unable to accommodate such requests, the patient has the right to transfer to another organization which may be able to provide such requests.
- The patient has the right to ask and be informed of any business or financial relationships that exist within the organization which may influence their care.
- The patient has the right to consent or decline participation in research studies, and to be provided with a full explanation about participation in such studies.
- The patient has the right to receive continuity of care and to be informed when such care cannot be provided.
- The patient has the right to be informed of policies and procedures that relate to their care. The patient has the right to be informed of the method they should use to resolve any discrepancies, conflicts, or grievances they may have. They have the right to know the procedure for making complaints if they feel they have not been given the care they deserve. The patient has the right to make complaints without fear of discrimination or negative repercussions for doing so. The patient also has the right to be informed of any charges for services and available payment methods and insurances accepted. This includes being made aware of services not covered by Medicare and Medicaid, and what charges they may be liable for.