2.3.3: Patient Responsibilities
(Adapted from the American Hospital Association, 1992)
As the most important partner in the healthcare team, the patient also has certain responsibilities.
- The patient is responsible for providing information about their health, hospitalizations, and medications, changes in symptoms or health condition. Patients should ask questions and ask for additional information about their health and treatment.
- The patient is responsible to inform their health care provider about their advanced directives and health care proxy and to provide them with a written copy. They are responsible for informing the health care provider about any changes they may make to their advanced directives or healthcare proxy.
- The patient is responsible to inform their health care providers if they expect problems with the treatment and services they are to receive. This includes informing the provider if home visits need to be changed.
- The patient is responsible for being aware of the organization’s policies and procedures and to make reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of the organization.
- The patient is responsible for providing necessary insurance and financial information to the organization in order that payment may be made for services rendered, and to make payment arrangements as necessary.
- The patient is responsible for informing the health care provider of any dissatisfaction with their services.
- The patient is responsible for carrying out mutually agreed upon responsibilities.
- The patient is responsible for providing a safe environment for the health care to be provided.