Patient Bill of Rights All patients have the right to receive safe service that respects all of their core values. This paper will focus on the patient’s bill of rights. It will explain it meaning and how it is set in place to aid the patient. This paper will list two obligations found in the bill of rights. It will also explain which rights are currently provided in the sanction of law. ? The basic rights of human beings, such as concern for personal dignity, are always of great importance.
The function of patient rights is to help improve patient outcomes by respecting each patient’s rights and conducting clinical and health organization relationships in an ethical manner (Fremgen, 2009). The patient’s bill of rights was created in 1973 by the American Hospital Association (AHA). It protects the privacy and integrity of patients, doctors and other health-care providers (ehow, 1999-2010). This basically means that it is a bill that will help with the communication skills between all parties to provide the best care.
Listed below are obligations to the items found in A Patient’s Bill of Rights. First, the patient has the right to considerate and respectful care (Fermgen, 2009). The provider has to respect the dignity of the patient by being considerate and caring. The patient should not be discriminated against. Second, the patient has the right to and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis (Fermgen, 2009).
Every patient has the right to be informed on any issue that they are faced with unless it is in an emergency. This also fall under know and accepting your provider. The patient has the choice to pick who they would like and would not like to see. Third, The patient has the right to make decisions about the plan of care prior to and during the course of treatment and to refuse a recommended treatment or plan of care to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action (Fermgen, 2009).
All patients should be provided with their treatment options. Providers should also allow patients to participate in their treatment options. The patient has the right to have an advance directive concerning treatment or designating a surrogate decision maker with the expectation that the hospital will honor the intent of that directive to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy (Fermgen, 2009). All patients have the right to make informed decisions. The providers should honor the wishes of the patients as permitted by law.
The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy (Fermgen, 2009). According to law, patient information should not be disclosed. The provider should always discuss any situations with their patient in a private location. The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his/her care will be treated as confidential by the hospital, except in cases such as suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by law (Fermgen, 2009).
Any of patient information cannot be shared unless a physician has patients consent. All patients’ information should be kept in a secured location. The patient has the right to review the records pertaining to his/her medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by law (Fermgen, 2009). Medical records should be available to all patients when they require them. Medical records can be revoked if possible abuse or public health hazards are reported.
The patient has the right to expect that, within its capacity and policies, a hospital will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for appropriate and medically indicated care and services (Fermgen, 2009). The hospital must perfume the best service that it can for all patients. The patient must provide the hospital with all necessary information that will prevent risk. The patient has the right to ask and be informed of the existence of business relationships among the hospital, educational institutions, other health care providers, or payers that may influence the patient’s treatment and care (Fermgen, 2009).
All patients have the right to know what type of business is associated with the provider or hospital. This right includes formal complaints and what was done about it. The patient has the right to consent to or decline to participate in proposed research studies or human experimentation affecting care and treatment or requiring direct patient involvement, and to have those studies fully explained prior to consent (Fermgen, 2009). All patients have the right to decide which treatment methods are best for them.
Even if a provider recommends a treatment, the patient has the right to consent to or decline services. The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed by physicians and other caregivers of available and realistic patient care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate (Fermgen, 2009). All patients have the right to receive the best quality of care from a provider. The patient has the right to be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, and responsibilities (Fermgen, 2009).
All patients should know all hospital charges they are faced with and any payment methods that are available. All the principles listed above are not law, but standards of conduct which define the essentials of honorable behavior for the physicians (Fermgen, 2009). The bill was introduced in 2001 by John McCain and co-authored by Ted Kennedy and John Edwards. It was approved by the Senate in a roll call vote but was not voted on in the House (ehow, 1999-2010). These standards are not only rights but ethical standards for physicians.
Every provider has a responsibility to his/her patient and theses standards helps them understand how crucial it is to maintain those relationships. The Patient’s Bill of Rights is set of standards that are not only for the provider but also a guide for patients. Understanding these right help protect the patient right to quality medical care. ? References E How (1999-2010) AHA Patient Bill of Rights retrieved July 31, 2010 from http://www. ehow. com/about_6170705_aha-patient-bill-rights. html Fremgen, B (2009). Medical Law and Ethics. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
