100-04 Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Category: 
Organization
Sub-Category: 
Patient Rights
Subject: 
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Policy Number: 
100-04
Effective Date: 
August, 2014
Next Review Date: 
August, 2017
Responsible Manager(s): 
Program Director
Purpose: 

To inform patients and staff of specific patient rights and responsibilities that Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) believes are inherent in providing high quality care and service.

Policy: 

Patient Rights and Responsibilities (Attachment 1) are posted in prominent places throughout the facility and copies are available to patients upon request. All services at SHCS comply with the Patient Rights and Responsibilities.

Procedure: 
  1. Patient Rights Include:
    1. Dignity
      1. Patients have the right to have their dignity recognized and respected, the rights to the same consideration and response as anyone else, regardless of race, age, beliefs, gender, or lifestyle.
      2. Patients have the right to expect SHCS staff to have concern for individual needs and feelings.
      3. Patients have the right to expect that SHCS health care providers will introduce themselves and will address patients according to their individual preference.
    2. Privacy
      1. Patients have the right to privacy and to exclude anyone not directly involved with their care.
      2. Patients have the right to expect that their discussion, examination, and treatment will be conducted as privately as possible. 
    3. Confidentiality
      1. Patients have the right to confidential treatment of all communications and records relating to care. Except as required by law, written permission is required before information is released to anyone not connected with the care of the patient including to parents and University officials.
      2. Patients have the right to understand what information is provided, who will receive it, and what information is needed prior to giving permission for release of information.
      3. Patients have the right to receive an explanation of information in their medical record.
    4. Service
      1. Patients have the right to expect that reasonable requests for services are met.
      2. Patients have the right to refuse services, proposed tests, or treatment.
      3. Patients have the right to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for them. This is a legal document known as an Advance Directive.  This would be used if the patient becomes unable to make medical care decisions or prefers someone else be the decision maker.
      4. Patients have the right to refuse to participate in any clinical research studies or to refuse any experimental treatment, without fear of adversely affecting the care received.
      5. Patients have the right to change providers.
    5. Understanding
      1. Patients have the right to know and understand:
        1. SHCS procedures
        2. An assessment of their medical problem
        3. What tests are being done and why
        4. The risks of any test(s) or procedure(s)
        5. Alternatives to the procedure(s) and possible risk(s)
        6. If any procedures are experimental or are provided as part of a research protocol
        7. What treatment is recommended, it's side effects and risks
        8. The prospects for resolution of medical problems
        9. The charges for care and an explanation of those charges
        10. Payment policies
        11. How to express a complaint, give a compliment, or make a suggestion.
  2. Patient Responsibilities Include:
    1. Patients are responsible for being honest and direct about everything that relates to their needs for health care.
    2. Patients are responsible for telling their health care providers how they feel about the things that are happening to them.
    3. Patients are responsible for being an active participant in decisions regarding their health.
    4. Patients are responsible for giving accurate concise history of their illness.  This includes all current prescription medication, over the counter products, herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamins.
    5. Patients are responsible for following up with the same clinician when possible.
    6. Patients are responsible for following the prescribed plan and to advise their health care provider whether they can follow that plan.
    7. Patients are responsible for reporting any adverse change in their health immediately to their health care provider.
    8. Patients are responsible for conducting themselves in a respectful manner.
    9. Patients are responsible for keeping appointments and providing at least 24 hours notice if that appointment must be canceled.
    10. Patients are responsible for having adequate health insurance and understanding the benefits and limitations of their insurance.
    11. Patients are responsible for communicating if the cost of the medications or procedures prescribed presents a problem.
    12. Patients are responsible for paying their bills.
Originated: 
August, 1992
Supersedes: 
July, 2011
References
Attachments: 
PDF icon Att 1 - Patient Rights and Responsibilitis