Patients Bill of Rights
Patient's Bill of Rights
In March 1997, President Clinton created the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry and charged it with recommending such measures as may be necessary to promote and assure health care quality and value, and to protect consumers and workers in the health care system. As part of that charge, the President asked the Commission to develop a Patient's Bill of Rights.
In February 1998, the Commission issued its final report, including the Patient's Bill of Rights. The House of Representatives and the Senate passed differing versions of the Patient's Bill of Rights and the bill has been languishing since 2002.
In general, a Patient's Bill of Rights is a statement of the rights to which patients are entitled as recipients of medical care. Typically, a statement communicates the positive rights which doctors and hospitals ought to provide patients, thereby providing information, offering fair treatment, and granting them autonomy over medical decisions.
Following are summaries of the eight areas of consumer rights and responsibilities adopted by the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry. Many health plans have adopted this statement.
For those consumers who may require assistance in making informed health care decisions, assistance must be provided.
2. Choice of Providers and Plans.
3. Access to Emergency Services.
Consumers have the right to access emergency health care services when and where the need arises. Health plans should provide payment when a consumer goes to an emergency department with acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson could reasonably expect the absence of medical attention to result in placing that consumer's health in serious jeopardy, to cause bodily impairment, or bodily dysfunction.
Consumers have the right and responsibility to fully participate in all decisions related to their health care. Consumers who are unable to fully participate in treatment decisions have the right to be represented by parents, guardians, family members, or other conservators.
5. Respect and Nondiscrimination.
6. Confidentiality of Health Information.
7. Complaints and Appeals.
8. Consumer Responsibilities.
In a health care system that protects consumers rights, it is reasonable to expect and encourage consumers to assume reasonable responsibilities. Greater individual involvement by consumers in their care increases the likelihood of achieving the best outcomes and helps support a quality improvement, cost-conscious environment.
Hospice of Fayette County has a Patient and Family Bill of Rights and Responsibilities statement that is provided to every patient and family upon entering the program. Because Hospice offers a specialized program of supportive and palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and supportive care services for the family and friends, our verbiage is more specialized.
With Hospice of Fayette County, every patient and family has the right to personalized care and treatment from reliable, qualified and well-trained staff who respect the patient and family. Patients and family have the right to be involved in decisions concerning health care and services provided by Hospice of Fayette County. Every patient and family has the right to communicate concerns, fears and needs to sensitive and supportive staff and the right to voice grievances and to recommend changes in service delivery or in agency policy without interference, discrimination or reprisal. AND, every patient and family has the right to receive quality care regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, handicap, marital status or source of payment.
Every patient and family has the right to maintain control over their own lives, the right to manage their own personal finances and, to maintain or enhance their quality of life. Every patient and family has the right to receive honest answers to questions regarding health status, treatment and condition, the right to choose a personal attending physician and, the right to participate in plans for the patient's medical care. Every patient and family has the right to expect confidentiality of records of care and treatment and, the right to receive written information describing available services and charges not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Also, every patient and family has the right to refuse treatment and to receive information on the possible consequences of such refusal. Every patient and family has the right to receive effective pain management and symptom control from Hospice of Fayette County and, the right to Advance Directives.
As with the U. S. Patient's Bill of Rights, every Hospice patient and family also has a list of responsibilities to help ensure that the patient and family are receiving all the benefits of the Hospice program.
In this country, it is well documented that not every patient and family is treated with respect, nor are they empowered with the right to make decisions about their health care. Hospice of Fayette County will remain committed to respecting and empowering patients and families. The services and support that is provided: comfort, symptom management, and support in physical, mental and spiritual aspects, are not for our benefit, but for the quality-of-life of the patient and to allow the patient and family to focus on the precious things in life during this final stage.
Hospice of Fayette County celebrates the rights of patients and families every day!
4. Participation in Treatment Decisions.
1. Consumers have the right to receive accurate, easily understood information about their health plans, professionals, and facilities.
