Patient's Bill of Rights

Also Read > Patient Responsibilities

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1. A patient has the right to respectful care given by competent personnel.
2. A patient has the right, upon request, to be given the name of his/her attending physician, the names of all other physicians directly participating in his/her care, and the names and functions of other health care persons having direct contact with the patient.
3. A patient has the right to consideration of privacy concerning his/her own medical program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are considered confidential and shall be conducted discreetly.
4. A patient has the right to have records pertaining to his/her medical care treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third-party contractual arrangements.
5. A patient has the right to know what ASC’s rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.
6. A patient has the right to have access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals for emergency procedures that will be implemented without unnecessary delay.
7. A patient has the right to good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.
8. A patient has the right to full information, in layman's terms, concerning diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications. When it is not medically advisable to give the information to the patient, the information shall be given on his/her behalf to their responsible person.
9. Except for emergencies, the physician shall obtain the necessary informed consent prior to the start of procedure. Informed consent is defined in section 103 of the Healthcare Services Malpractice Act (40 P.S. § 1301.03).
10. A patient or, if the patient is unable to give informed consent, a responsible person, has the right to be advised when a physician is considering the patient as a part of a medical care research program, and the patient, or responsible person, shall give informed consent prior to actual participation in the program. A patient, or responsible person, may refuse to continue in a program to which he/she has previously given informed consent.
11. A patient has the right to refuse drugs or procedures, to the extent permitted by statute, and a physician shall inform the patient of the medical consequences of the patient's refusal of drugs or procedures.
12. A patient has the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, disability, marital status, financial status, creed, sexual orientation or gender identity.
13. A patient who does not speak English shall have access, where possible, to an interpreter.
14. ASC shall provide the patient, or patient designee, upon request, access to the information contained in his/her medical records, unless access is specifically restricted by the attending physician for medical reasons.
15. A patient has the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented within ASC. These techniques shall make effective use of the time of the patient and avoid the personal discomfort of the patient.
16. When an emergency occurs and a patient is transferred to another facility, the responsible person shall be notified. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred shall be notified prior to the patient's transfer.
17. A patient has the right to approve/refuse release of medical information to any individual outside of the facility, except in the case of an emergency transfer to another facility.
18. A patient has the right to examine and receive a detailed decision of his/her bill via statements and explanation of benefits (EOBs).
19. A patient has the right to expect that ASC will provide information for continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.
20. A patient has the right to be informed of his/her rights at the time of admission.
21. A patient has the right to change their primary/specialty physician, or any healthcare provider, if other qualified healthcare providers are available.
22. A patient has the right to exercise his/her rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.
23. A patient has the right to voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is or fails to be furnished.
24. A patient has the right to obtain provider credentialing information.
25. A patient has the right to timely information about facility policy that may limit its ability to implement fully a legally valid advanced directive.
26. A patient has the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.