1.

CODE OF ETHICS

Definition

A code of ethics is a guide for an individual or group to follow in making decisions regarding ethical
issues.

Rights

Webster defines a right as "something to which one has a just claim or the power or priviledge to which
one is justly entitled." Patient rights have evolved to the point that federal legislation has been passed in
the United States to protect a patient's individual rights. A Patient's Bill of Rights was initially developed
by the American Hospital Association in 1973 and revised in1992. All hospitals are now required by law
to inform patients of these rights upon admission to the hospital.

Autonomy

Autonomy comes from the latin auto meaning "self" and nomy which means "control." Individuals must
be given the rights to assist in their own decision making. This ethical concept has led to the need
for informed consent. Sometimes patients' religious or cultural beliefs lead them to make decisions
regarding their own care that may seem controversial or even dangerous. However, the concept of
autonomy gives them the right to make those decisions unless they are mentally impaired.

Beneficence and nonmaleficence

Beneficence means to do good, not harm, to other people. Nonmaleficence is the concept of preventing
intentional harm. Both of these ethical concepts relate directly to patient care. In the American Nurses
Association Code for Nurses, there is a specific charge to protect patients by specifying that nurses should
report unsafe, illegal, or unethical practices by any person. Nurses are often faced with making decisions
about extending life with technology, which might not be in the best interest of the patient. Often the
concept of weighing potential benefit to the patient against potential harm is used in making these
difficult decisions, along with the patient's own stated wishes.

Justice

The word justice is closely tied with the legal system. However, the word refers to the obligation to be
fair to all people. In 2001, healthcare economics have hospitals and other providers stretching their
resources to their limits. Economic decisions about healthcare resources have to be made based on the
number of patients who would benefit. The potential of rationing care to the frail elderly, poor, and
disabled creates an ethical dilemma that is sure to become even more complicated in the future.

Fidelity

Fidelity refers to the concept of keeping a commitment. Although the word is more closely used to
describe a marital relationship, fidelity is the concept of accountability. What is the nurse's responsibility
to his or her patient, employer, society, or government? Privacy and confidentiality are concepts that
could be challenged under the concept of fidelity. If a nurse is aware of another healthcare giver who is
impaired, but the circumstances are private or confidential, how is the conflict resolved?

Professional implications

As a general rule, nurses are employed by a hospital, clinic, or private practice. Decisions that are made
about patient care are not totally independent. Every decision creates a ripple effect and touches someone
else in the health care field. One of the purposes of a code of ethics is to help nurses keep perspective and
a balanced view regarding decisions. One way to study a code of ethics is to look at a case study.

2. INTERNATIONAL CODE OF NURSING

THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

An international code of ethics for nurses was first adopted by the
International Council of Nurses (ICN) in 1953. It has been revised
and reaffirmed at various times since, most recently with this
review and revision completed in 2005.
PREAMBLE
Nurses have four fundamental responsibilities: to promote health, to
prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering. The need
for nursing is universal.
Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including cultural
rights, the right to life and choice, to dignity and to be treated with
respect. Nursing care is respectful of and unrestricted by considerations
of age, colour, creed, culture, disability or illness, gender,
sexual orientation, nationality, politics, race or social status.
Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and the
community and co-ordinate their services with those of related
groups.
2
THE ICN CODE
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses has four principal elements that
outline the standards of ethical conduct.
ELEMENTS OF THE CODE
1. NURSES AND PEOPLE
The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people requiring
nursing care.
In providing care, the nurse promotes an environment in which the
human rights, values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual,
family and community are respected.
The nurse ensures that the individual receives sufficient information
on which to base consent for care and related treatment.
The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgement
in sharing this information.
The nurse shares with society the responsibility for initiating and supporting
action to meet the health and social needs of the public, in
particular those of vulnerable populations.
The nurse also shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural
environment from depletion, pollution, degradation and
destruction.
2. NURSES AND PRACTICE
The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for
nursing practice, and for maintaining competence by continual
learning.
3
The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such that the
ability to provide care is not compromised.
The nurse uses judgement regarding individual competence when
accepting and delegating responsibility.
The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct
which reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence.
The nurse, in providing care, ensures that use of technology and
scientific advances are compatible with the safety, dignity and
rights of people.
3. NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing
acceptable standards of clinical nursing practice, management,
research and education.
The nurse is active in developing a core of research-based professional
knowledge.
The nurse, acting through the professional organisation, participates
in creating and maintaining safe, equitable social and economic
working conditions in nursing.
4. NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in
nursing and other fields.
The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals, families
and communities when their health is endangered by a coworker
or any other person.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR USE OF THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses is a guide for action based on
social values and needs. It will have meaning only as a living document
if applied to the realities of nursing and health care in a
changing society.
To achieve its purpose the Code must be understood, internalised
and used by nurses in all aspects of their work. It must be available
to students and nurses throughout their study and work lives.
APPLYING THE ELEMENTS OF THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
The four elements of the ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses : nurses and
people, nurses and practice, nurses and the profession, and nurses
and co-workers, give a framework for the standards of conduct. The
following chart will assist nurses to translate the standards into
action. Nurses and nursing students can therefore:
• Study the standards under each element of the Code.
• Reflect on what each standard means to you. Think about how you
can apply ethics in your nursing domain: practice, education,
research or management.
• Discuss the Code with co-workers and others.
• Use a specific example from experience to identify ethical dilemmas
and standards of conduct as outlined in the Code. Identify
how you would resolve the dilemmas.
• Work in groups to clarify ethical decision making and reach a
consensus on standards of ethical conduct.
• Collaborate with your national nurses’ association, co-workers,
and others in the continuous application of ethical standards in
nursing practice, education, management and research.

3. NIGTINGALE PLEDGE

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in
purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and
mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my
power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all
personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the
practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote
myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

4. HIPPOCRATIC PLEDGE
The Oath of Hippocrates with Two Modern Adaptations
Sometimes Used in Nursing Schools

The practice of "swearing in" a member of a guild or profession is very old and is still continued
as a tradition in some professional schools. The general trend of opinion today is against the
requirement of any such pledge or oath. The examples quoted below are given for their historic
interest.

The Hippocratic oath Was framed by Hippocrates, the Greek "Father of Medicine," in the fifth
century before Christ. There are several forms of the oath. The following translation is taken from
a copy published by the Journal of the American Medical Association:

"I swear by Apollo, the physician, and Æsculapius and Health,1 and All-heal,2 and all the gods
and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and stipulation: to
reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance faith
him and relieve his necessities if required; to regard his offspring as on the same footing with my
own brothers, and to teach-them this art if they should wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation,
and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the
art to my own sons and to those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath,
according to the law of medicine, but to none others.

"I will follow that method of treatment which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider
for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious. and mischievous. I will
give no deadly medicine to any one if asked nor suggest any such counsel ; furthermore, I will not
give to a woman an instrument to produce abortion.

"With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut a person who:
is suffering with a stone, but will leave this to be done by practitioners of this work. Into
whatever houses I enter I will go into them for the benefit of the sick and will abstain from every
 voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and further from the seduction of females or males,
bond or free.

"Whatever, in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, 1 may see or
hear in the lives of men which ought not to be spoken abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that
all such should be kept secret.

"While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the
practice of the art, respected by all men at all times, but should I trespass and violate this oath,
may the reverse be my lot."

The modified Hippocratic oath arranged by Mrs. Lystra Gretter for the nurses of the Farrand
Training School, Detroit, was called the Florence Nightingale Pledge as a token of esteem for
Miss Nightingale. It is sometimes ascribed wrongly to Miss Nightingale's authorship. Its
relationship to the old oath of medicine is quite plain.

"I solemnly pledge myself before God, and in the presence of this assembly) to pass my life in
purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and
mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all' in my
power to maintain and elevate the standard of. my profession and will hold in confidence all
personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the
practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote
myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

Mrs. Cadwalader Jones, a member of the Board of Managers of the City Hospital, New York, is
the author of another version of the Hippocratic oath. It runs as follows:

"You do solemnly swear, each by whatever she holds most sacred :

"That you will be loyal to the physicians under whom you serve, as a good soldier is loyal to his
officers.

"That you will be just and generous to all worthy members of your profession, aiding them when
it will be in your power to do so.

"That you will live your lives and lead your profession in uprightness and honor.

"That into whatsoever house you shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of
your power, and that you will hold yourselves aloof from all temptation.

"That whatsoever you shall see or hear of the lives of men and women, whether they be your
patients or members of their households, you will keep inviolably secret, whether you are in other
households, or among your own friends."

5. GENEVA DECLARATION
The Declaration of Geneva was adopted by the General Assembly of the World Medical
Association at Geneva in 1948 and amended in 1968, 1984, 1994, 2005 and 2006. It is a declaration
of physicians' dedication to the humanitarian goals of medicine, a declaration that was especially
important in view of the medical crimes which had just been committed in Nazi Germany. The
Declaration of Geneva was intended as a revision[1] of the Oath of Hippocrates to a formulation of that
oath's moral truths that could be comprehended and acknowledged modernly.[2]
The original Declaration of Geneva reads:[3]
At the time of being admitted as a Member of the medical profession

 I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity :

 I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
 I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity;
 The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration;
 I will respect the secrets which are confided in me;
 I will maintain by all means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the
medical profession;
 My colleagues will be my brothers
 I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social
standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
 I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception, even
under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
 I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.

The Declaration of Geneva, as currently amended, reads[2]:

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:

 I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;

 I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;
 I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity;
 The health of my patient will be my first consideration;
 I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
 I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the
medical profession;
 My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers;
 I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender,
nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to
intervene between my duty and my patient;
 I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;
 I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even
under threat;
 I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.
 6. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION- HUMAN RIGHTS

HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN

RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every
individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by
teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures,
national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among
the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.

• All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason
and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

• Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without
distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on
the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a
person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of
sovereignty.

Article 3.

• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.
• No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in
all their forms.

Article 5.

• No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment.

Article 6.

• Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

• All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of
the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration
and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.
 • Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts
violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

• No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.
• Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and
impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge
against him.

Article 11.

• (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved
guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his
defence.
• (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which
did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was
committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the
penal offence was committed.

Article 12.

• No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or
correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the
protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

• (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each
state.
• (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his
country.

Article 14.

• (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
• (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-
political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

• (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

• (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his
nationality.

Article 16.

• (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion,
have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during
marriage and at its dissolution.
 • (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
• (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to
protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

• (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
• (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes
freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and
in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to
hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any
media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

• (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

• (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through
freely chosen representatives.
• (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
• (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be
expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall
be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

• Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization,
through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and
resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and
the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

• (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable
conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
• (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
• (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for
himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by
other means of social protection.
• (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
 ^

Article 24.

• Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours
and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

• (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old
age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
• (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children,
whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

• (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and
fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education
shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis
of merit.
• (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the
strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding,
tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities
of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
• (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their
children.

Article 27.

• (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy
the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
• (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from
any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

• Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set
forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
• (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his
personality is possible.
• (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such
limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for
the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and
the general welfare in a democratic society.
• (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and
principles of the United Nations.^

Article 30.
 • Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any
right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and
freedoms set forth herein.

7. BIIL OF RIGHTS 1987 PHIL. CONSTITUTION

BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall
any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no
search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by
the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may
produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

Section 3. (1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon lawful
order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as prescribed by law.

(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for any
purpose in any proceeding.

Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or
preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political
rights.

Section 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be
impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the
interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.

Section 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access
to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as
well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen,
subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.

Section 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form
unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.

Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

Section 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be
denied to any person by reason of poverty.

Section 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be
informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his
own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These
rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of counsel.

(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will shall be
used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention
are prohibited.

(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 hereof shall be inadmissible in
evidence against him.

(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well as
compensation to the rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their families.

Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when
evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be released on
recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege
of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.

Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law.

(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and
shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face,
and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in
his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of the
accused: Provided, that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is unjustifiable.

Section 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of invasion
or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.

Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-
judicial, or administrative bodies.

Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Section 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations.

(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted.

Section 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment
inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous
crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced
to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any prisoner or detainee
or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by
law.

Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.

Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is
punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to another
prosecution for the same act.

Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted

8. Patient’s bill of right & RESPONSIBILITY/OBLIGATION

PATIENT RIGHTS: These rights can be exercised on the patient’s behalf by a designated
surrogate or proxy decision maker if the patient lacks decision-making capacity, is legally
incompetent, or is a minor.
1. You have the right to be respected as a person.
2. You have the right to good quality care and high professional standards that are
continually maintained and reviewed.
3. You have the right to be informed of your rights at the earliest possible moment in your
hospital stay. You also have the right to be informed of how to initiate a complaint
concerning the quality of care you receive, and to know how that complaint is resolved.
If you are dissatisfied with your care, please tell a nurse or other care provider that you
would like to speak to the nurse in charge of your area. He/she will help to resolve your
concerns. If you still are not satisfied with the response to your concern, ask to speak
with the Nurse Manager or the Vice-President of Patient Care.
4. You have the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon
race, sex, sexual preference, or national origin or source of payment.
5. You have the right, upon request, to be given the name of your attending physician, the
name(s) of other physician(s) directly participating in your care, and the names and
functions of other health care providers that have direct contact with you.
6. You have the right to every consideration of your privacy concerning your medical care
program. Care discussions, consultation, examination, and treatment are considered
confidential and should be conducted discretely.
7. You have the right to have all records pertaining to your medical care treated as
confidential and read only by people with a need to know. Information about a patient
will be released only with permission from the patient, or if it is required by law.
8. You have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as
a patient.
9. You have the right to expect emergency procedures to be implemented without
unnecessary delay.
10. You have the right to access all information contained in your medical record within a
reasonable time frame, unless for medical reasons, your attending physician specifically
restricts access.
11. You have the right to information from your doctor in order to make informed decisions
about your care. This means that you will be given information about your diagnosis,
prognosis and different treatment choices. This information will be given in terms that
you can understand, although, this may not be possible in an emergency.
12. You have the right to receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the
start of any procedure. The physician must obtain this consent except in emergencies.
13. If you are given the option to participate in research studies, you have the right to
complete information regarding the program and may refuse to participate. If you chose
to participate, you have the right to stop at any time. Any refusal to participate in a
research program will not affect your access to care.
14. You have the right to refuse any drugs, treatment, or procedures offered by the hospital,
to the extent permitted by law, after hearing the medical consequences of your refusal of
the drug, treatment or procedure.
15. You have the right to assistance in obtaining another physician’s opinion at your request
and own expense.
16. You have the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented within the
hospital, considering effective use of your time and to avoid personal discomfort to you.
17. You have the right to appropriate pain management.
18. You have the right to formulate advance directives (for examples, living will and/or
health care power of attorney) and to have those directives followed to the extent
permitted by law.
19. When medically permissible, you may be transferred to another facility only after care
and arrangements have been made with the other facility and you have been given
complete information explaining your need for such a transfer.
20. You have the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill.
21. You have the right to information and counseling on the availability of known financial
resources for your health care.
22. You have the right to expect that Wilkes Regional Medical Center will provide a
mechanism whereby you are informed upon discharge of your continuing health care
requirements and the means for meeting them.
23. You cannot be denied the right to access an individual or agency that is authorized to act
on your behalf to assert or protect your rights under law. You have the right to have
protective services contacted when you or your family members are concerned about
safety.
24. You have the right to participate and make decision in your plan of care and to include
family members in those decisions.
25. You have the right to personal privacy and to receive care in a safe and secure manner.
26. You have the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
27. You have the right to access information contained in your clinical records within a
reasonable time frame.
28. You have the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically
necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by
staff. When medically necessary, restraints may be used only as a last resort and in the
least restrictive manner as possible to protect you or others from harm, and must be
removed or ended at the earliest possible time.
29. You have the right to be given information in a manner that you can understand. A
patient who does not speak English or is hearing- or speech- impaired has the right to an
interpreter, when possible at no cost to the patient.
30. Medicare patients have the right to appeal decisions about your care to a local Peer
Review Organization (PRO). The Facility will provide the name, address and phone
number of the local PRO information about filing an appeal.
31. You have the right to see visitors of your choice.
32. You have the right to pastoral care and other spiritual services.
33. You have the right to have complaints about care resolved.
34. You or your family have the right to contact WRMC’s Ethic Committee to ask for help
about ethical issues, such as starting or stopping treatments to maintain life, differences
of opinion or when advanced directives cannot be honored.
If you, your designated guardian, advocate or representative feel at any time your rights as a Wilkes
Regional Medical Center Patient have been violated, please contact our Director of Performance
Improvement at (336) 651-8103 or our Privacy Officer at (336) 651-8060.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Patients of Wilkes Regional Medical Center are requested to recognize and adhere to the
following specific responsibilities relating to your hospitalization.
1. The hospital expects that you or your family will provide information about changes in
your general health, past medical history, hospitalization, medication, and other matters
relating to your health history in order to effectively treat your illness.
2. The hospital expects that you will cooperate with all hospital personnel and ask questions
if directions and/or procedures are not clearly understood.
3. The hospital expects you to be considerate of other patients and hospital personnel, by
assisting in the control of noise, and number of visitors in your room at one time.
4. The hospital expects you to treat others with respect and to respect the property of other
patients and the property of the hospital itself.
5. The hospital expects you to follow the instructions of the physicians, nurses, and other
specified hospital personnel. Patients and their families are responsible for the outcomes
if they do not follow the care, treatment and service plan.
6. The hospital expects you to assume financial responsibility for services for which
insurance does not pay.
7. The hospital expects that you will not consume alcohol, or drugs other than those
prescribed during your hospital stay.
8. The hospital expects you to obey safety rules and regulations that have been explained
to you.
9. The hospital expects you, or a designated family member or other legally responsible
party, to sign all forms (after they have been fully explained) relating to your care.
10. The hospital expects you to follow facilities rules regarding smoking, noise and use of
electrical equipme