assignment # 4

The twelve basic rights of a patient:

1) A patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
2) A patient has the right to receive complete information from a physician about a patient's diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis.
3. A patient has the right to obtain information about the specific nature of a proposed treatment or procedure, a disclosure of the risks involved, and information about medical alternatives.
4. A patient has the right to refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences.
5. A patient has the right to privacy during discussion of one's medical condition and while undergoing medical care.
6. A patient has the right to expect all records related to medical care will be kept confidential.
7. A patient has the right to expect that reasonable efforts will be made to respond to the patient's request for services, and that the patient will not be transferred to another medical facility without advising the patient of the need to be transferred and without ensuring that the new facility will accept transfer of the patient.
8. A patient has the right to obtain information about the relationships amongst care providers in the hospital and related medical and educational institutions. This is designed to protect patients from conflicting interests that might affect quality of care.
A patient has the right to obtain information about human experimentation and research that might affect treatment or care, and to refuse to take part in such experimentation and research.
9. A patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. This is meant to assure the patient that, for example, diagnoses will be followed up with continued treatment.
10. A patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of the hospital bill.
11. A patient has the right to be informed of hospital rules and regulations that apply to patient conduct. This statement of rights provides benefit to both patient and hospital.
12. Though the quality of resolution varies widely, most hospitals have grievance committees that will hear complaints and staff representatives that act as patient advocates when a right is called into question.

ref: http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/73/Patient-s-rights.html