Patient Rights and Responsibilities
PATIENT RIGHTS
Access to Care
Access to treatment or accommodations as to their requests and needs for treatment or services that are within the health center’s capacity, availability, its stated mission and applicable law and regulation. Individuals shall receive care regardless of age, race, color, national origin, culture, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, religion, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or manner of payment.
Respect & Dignity
All individuals, whether adult, adolescent, or newborn, have the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of their personal dignity and the psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural variables that influence their perceptions of illness.
Privacy & Confidentiality
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right, within the law, to personal and informational privacy
Personal Safety
The patient, whether adult, adolescent, or newborn, has the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the health center practices and environment are concerned. This includes the right to a humane treatment environment that provides reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy for personal reasons. Each patient has the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment while at the health center.
Identity
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to him/her and to know which physician or other practitioner is primarily responsible for his/her care. The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right to know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for the patient’s care.
Information
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right to obtain from the practitioner responsible for coordination of his/her care complete and current information concerning his/her diagnosis (to the degree known) treatment and any known prognosis.
Communication
When the patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) does not speak or understand the predominant language of the community, he/she should have access to an interpreter.
Consent
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right to the information necessary to enable, in collaboration with the health care practitioner, to make treatment decisions involving his/her health care that reflect his/her wishes.
Consultation
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the right to accept medical care or to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal. When refusal of treatment by the patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with ethical and professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.
Transfer & Continuity of Care
A patient has the right to expect that the health center will give necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, the patient will be informed of risks benefits and alternatives.
Delineation of Patient’s Rights
The rights of the patient may be delineated on behalf of the patient, to the extent permitted by law, to the patient’s guardian, next of kin or legally authorized responsible person.
Rules & Regulations
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) should be informed of the health clinic rules and regulations applicable to his/her conduct as a patient.
PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide Accurate & Complete Information
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health.
Report Unexpected Changes
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his/her condition to the responsible practitioner. A patient is responsible for making it known whether he/she clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her.
Following Treatment Plan Recommendations
A patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his/her care and following health center rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
Your Own Actions
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner’s instructions. If the patient cannot follow through with the treatment, he/she is responsible for informing the practitioner primarily responsible for his/her care.
Considerate of Others’ Rights
The patient (or his/her parent or legal designated representative) is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the health center. Patients or staff should not use the following actions or languages:
- Racial slurs or other insulting words about race, language, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, or disability
- Shouting or swearing
- Making threats with words or with body movements
- Spitting or throwing objects
- Any attempt to physically harm a staff member or patient
- Sexual remarks or behaviors
Recognize the Effects of Lifestyles
A patient’s health depends not just on his/her care but, in the long term, on the decisions he/she makes in his/her daily life. He/she is responsible for recognizing the effect of lifestyle on his/her personal life.
