Protecting patient rights

The Patient’s Bills of Rights, adopted by the U.S. health care industry in 1998, provides patients with the fundamental right to receive considerate healthcare that safeguards their dignity and respect. When healthcare workers follow it, they provide quality care that benefits their patients and enhances the reputation of their organization.

* The right to respectful treatment – provide prompt and courteous care
* The right to privacy and confidentiality – HIPAA’s new Security Rule requires administrative, physical and technical safeguards to guarantee the confidentiality of all electronic PHI
* The right to be in communication – patients have the right to communicate with anyone outside the facility unless their safety is in jeopardy
* The right to make informed decisions – patients have the right to a full diagnosis of proposed treatments that are easily understood
* The right to participate in all aspects of healthcare – patients have the right to make decisions about their care and must be informed of the medical consequences of their actions.
* The right to an advance directive – patients have the right to a living will, healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney, so they can state their wishes about receiving care in case they become incapacitated
* The right to impartial access to care – patients must be given impartial access to care, regardless of race, national origin, religion, age, creed, sex or sources of payment

Your employees should be aware of these important patient rights and honor them as they care for patients.