Patients’ Rights &

Responsibilities

Lecture 10
Dr. Manal Helmy

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 The Patient Bill of Rights is a List of Rights first
developed in 1973 and then revised in 1992, by the
American Hospital Association.

These rights have been formulated over time using a

combination of State & Federal Laws, medical ethics
and generally accepted practices.

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At the core of patient rights is the right to be treated
with dignity & respect and the right to be
empowered to make decisions about Personal
Healthcare choices.

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 Why are patients’ rights so important?
1. Organizations that commit
themselves to Patients’ rights are:

• More competitive in Marketplace.

• Having stronger reputation in the
community.

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• Receiving fewer medical errors &
malpractice.
— Having Fewer Fines and sanctions.
— Employing more talented people.

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2. For Healthcare professionals:

— They experience greater job satisfaction.

— They enjoy more career advancement.
— They make fewer medical errors.

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*Patients shall have the following rights without regard
to age, race, sex, national origin, religion, culture,
physical handicap, personal values or belief systems.

*Patients have the rights to be listened to, to have their

opinions, and to receive a prompt or reasonable response
to questions & requests.

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* Patients have the rights to be treated with:
— Courtesy.
— Compassion.
— Dignity.
— Respect.

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 PATIENT’S RIGHTS
The patient has the right to:
• Receive the care necessary to help regain or maintain his
or her maximum state of health and, if necessary cope
with death.
•Expect personnel who care for the patient to be friendly,
considerate, respectful and qualified through education and
experience and perform the services for which they are
responsible with the highest quality of service.
•Expect full recognition of individuality, including privacy
in treatment and care. In addition, all communications and
records will be kept confidential.
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PATIENT’S RIGHTS (CONTINUED):
— Complete information, to the extent known by the
physician, regarding diagnosis, treatment and
prognosis, as well as alternative treatments or
procedures and the possible risks and side effect
associated with treatment.
— Be fully informed of the scope of services available at the
facility, provisions for after hours and emergency care and
related fees for services rendered.
— Be a participant in decisions regarding the intensity and scope
of treatment. If the patient is unable to participate in those
decisions, the patient’s designated representative of other
legally designated person shall exercise the patient’s rights.
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PATIENT’S RIGHTS (CONTINUED):
— Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of
the medical consequences of such refusal. The patient accepts
responsibility for his/her actions should he/she refuses treatment or
not follows the instructions of the physician or facility.
— Approve or refuse the release of medical records to any
individual outside the facility, except in the case of transfer to
another health facility, or as required by law or third party
payment contract.
— Be informed of any human experimentation or other
research/educational projects affecting his or her care or
treatment and can refuse participation in such experimentation
or research without compromise to the patient’s usual care.

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PATIENT’S RIGHTS (CONTINUED):
— Express grievances/complaints and suggestions at any
time.
— Change primary or specialty physicians or dentist if other
qualified physicians or dentists are available.
— Have and advance directive, such as a living will or
healthcare proxy. A patient who has an advance directive
must provide a copy to the facility and his or her physician
so that his or her wishes may be known and honored.
Surgery centers and diagnostic imaging centers may be
exceptions to this statement and will have a facility-
specific policy.

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PATIENT’S RIGHTS (CONTINUED):
— Be fully informed before any transfer to another facility or
organization.

— Express those spiritual beliefs and cultural practices that

do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of
medical therapy for the patient.

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 PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The patient is responsible for:
• Being considerate of other patients and personnel and
for assisting in the control of noise, smoking and other
distractions.
• Respecting the property of others and the facility.
• Reporting whether he/she clearly understands the
planned course of treatment and what is expected
of him/her.
•Keeping appointments and, when unable to do so for
any reason, for notifying the facility and physician.

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PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
— Observing prescribed rules of the facility during
his or her stay and treatment and, if instructions
are not followed, and being responsible for the
outcome.
— Promptly fulfilling his/her financial obligations to
the facility.

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THE INDIVIDUAL REFERRED OR ADMITTED TO THE
PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICE HAS RIGHTS WHICH INCLUDE
BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
1.Selection of a physical therapist of one's own; choosing to the
extent that it is reasonable and possible.
2.Access to information regarding practice policies and charges
for services.
3.Knowledge of the identity of the physical therapist and other
personnel providing or participating in the program of care.
4. Expectation that the referral source has no financial
involvement in the service. If that is not the case, knowledge of
the extent of any financial involvement in the service by the
referring source.

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 5. Involvement in the development of anticipated goals
6.Knowledge of any substantial risks of the
recommended examination and intervention.
7.Participation in decisions involving the physical therapy plan of
care to the extent reasonable and possible.
8. Access to information concerning his/her condition.
9.Expectation that any discussion or consultation involving the
case will be conducted discreetly and that all communications and
other records pertaining to the care, including the sources of
payment for treatment, will be treated as confidential.

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10.Expectation of safety in the services and safety in regard to
the equipment and physical environment.
11.Timely information about impending discharge and
continuing care requirements.
13. Information regarding the practice's mechanism for the
initiation, review, and resolution of patient/client complaints.

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