S02 - Attachment 13 - Numbered Memorandum 00-53-116 Patient Rights_Responsibilities.docx

Attachment 13

PATIENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. PURPOSE: To outline the policies of the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MGVAMC) concerning patient rights, procedures concerning restriction of any of these rights, and patient responsibilities.

2. POLICY: It is the policy of the MGVAMC that all staff will respect the patient's right to make decisions about his or her care, treatment and services, and to involve the patient's family in care, services, and treatment decisions to the extent permitted by the patient or surrogate decision-maker. ‘Family’ is defined as a group of two or more persons united by blood, or adoptive, marital, domestic partnership, or other legal ties. The family may also be a person or persons not legally related to the individual (such as significant other, friend, or caregiver) whom the individual considers to be family. A family member may be the surrogate decision-maker, as defined in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook 1004.02, if authorized to make care decisions for the individual, in the event the patient should lose decision-making capacity. (The hospital prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sources of payment for care.) It is furthermore the policy of the MGVAMC that each patient has basic responsibilities.

3. PROCEDURES:

a. The following procedures will be followed:

(1) All new admissions to the hospital will be provided a personal copy of our Patient Rights and Responsibilities handout (Attachment). Admissions staff will verify with the Veteran, when possible, that he/she is capable of reading and understanding this handout.

(2) If a patient states an inability to read the handout he/she will be provided a large print copy for visually impaired to review. Veterans who have questions or need assistance with reading or understanding their rights and responsibilities should be referred to the Patient Advocate at extension 7504.

b. Each bedside stand will include a patient handbook, which contains information regarding patient rights and responsibilities.

c. A patient’s rights will not be restricted or abridged unless medically contraindicated.

(1) When medically contraindicated, the patient or surrogate decision-maker will be informed of such restrictions, therapeutic reasons, and benefits.

(2) Should a patient’s rights require restriction, and the patient appeals such action, the case should be referred to the Ethics Committee for ethics consultation and recommendation.

d. Cases involving patients who refuse to adhere to the responsibilities listed will be referred to the Ethics Consult Team Committee for review, recommendation, and/or action.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Any staff involved with patients is responsible for ensuring adherence the provisions in this policy.

b. The Consult Team Committee will respond to all ethic consultations generated throughout this facility.

5. REFERENCES:

6. RESCISSION: Numbered Memorandum 00-53-12, dated November 23, 2012.

7. FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY: Patient Advocate (00)

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J. Ronald Johnson, FACHE Medical Center Director

Distribution: All services via Outlook

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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The following rights and responsibilities will be communicated to the patient. They will be respected and assured for all patients unless medically contraindicated:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees will respect and support your rights as a patient. We are pleased you have selected us to provide your health care. We plan to make your visit or stay as pleasant for you as possible. Your basic rights and responsibilities are outlined in this document. Please talk with VA treatment team members or a patient advocate if you have any questions or would like more information about your rights.

I. Respect and Nondiscrimination

· You will be treated with dignity, compassion and respect as an individual. Your privacy will be protected. You will receive care in a safe environment. We will seek to honor your personal and religious values.

· You or someone you choose have the right to keep and spend your own money.

You have the right to receive an accounting of VA held funds.

1. Treatment will respect your personal freedoms. In rare cases, the use of medication and physical restraints may be used if all other efforts to keep you or others free from harm have not worked.

1. As an inpatient or long-term care resident you may wear your own clothes and keep personal items. This depends on your medical condition.

As an inpatient or long-term care resident, you have the right to social interaction, and regular exercise. You will have the opportunity for religious worship and spiritual support. You may decide whether or not to participate in these activities. You may decide whether or not to perform tasks in or for the Medical Center.

· As an inpatient or long-term care resident, you have the right to communicate freely and privately. You may have or refuse visitors. You will have access to public telephones to make and receive calls. You may participate in civic rights.

· As a long-term care resident, you can organize and take part in resident groups in the facility. Your family also can meet with the families of other residents.

· In order to provide a safe treatment environment for all patients and staff, you are asked to respect other patients, staff, and to follow the facility’s rules. Avoid unsafe Attachment acts that place others at risk for accidents or injuries. Please immediately report any condition you believe to be unsafe.

II. Information Disclosure and Confidentiality

· You will be given information about the health benefits that you can receive. The information will be provided in a way you can understand.

· You will receive information about the costs of your care, if any, before you are treated. You are responsible for paying for your portion of the costs associated with your care.

1. Your medical record will be kept confidential. Information about you will not be released without your consent unless authorized by law (i.e., State public health reporting). You have the right to information in your medical record and may request a copy of your records. This will be provided except in rare situations where your VA physician feels the information will be harmful to you. In that situation, you have the right to have this discussed with you by your VA provider.

1. You will be informed of all outcomes of care, including any injuries caused by your medical care. You will be informed about how to request compensation for injuries.

III. Participation in Treatment Decisions

1. You, and any persons you choose, will be involved in all decisions about your care.

You will be given information you can understand about the benefits and risks of treatment. You will be given other options. You can agree to or refuse treatment. Refusing treatment will not affect your rights to future care but you have the responsibility to understand the possible results to your health. If you believe you cannot follow the treatment plan you have a responsibility to notify the treatment team.

1. As an inpatient or long-term care resident, you will be provided any transportation necessary for your treatment plan.

· You will be given, in writing, the name and professional title of the provider in charge of your care. As a partner in the healthcare process, you have the right to be involved in choosing your provider. You will be educated about your role and responsibilities as a patient. This includes your participation in decision-making and care at the end of life. Tell your provider about your current condition, medicines (including over the counter and herbals) and medical history. Also, share any other information that affects your health. You should ask questions when you don’t understand something about your care. This will help in providing you the best care possible.

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1. You have the right to have your pain assessed and to receive treatment to manage your pain. You and your treatment team will develop a pain management plan together. You are expected to help the treatment team by telling them if you have pain and if the treatment is working.

· You have the right to choose whether or not you will participate in any research project. Any research will be clearly identified. Potential risks of the research will be identified and there will be no pressure on you to participate.

· You will be included in resolving any ethical issues about your care. You may consult with the Medical Center’s Bioethics Committee and/or other staff knowledgeable about health care ethics.

· If you or the Medical Center believes that you have been neglected, abused, or exploited, you will receive help.

IV. Complaints

You are encouraged and expected to seek help from your treatment team and/or a service level patient advocate if you have problems or complaints. You will be given understandable information about the complaint process available to you. You may complain verbally or in writing, without fear of retaliation.

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