Visit http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/communicatingpts/pt-care-partnership.shtml and review the American Hospital Association’s Patients’ Bill of Rights. Discuss how health care professionals can ensure that patients’ rights are upheld and protected.
Instructions:
Post your discussion to the Moodle Discussion Forum. Initial post must be made by Day #3. Word limit 500 words. Reply to at least two other student posts with a reflection of their response. Please make sure to provide citations and references (in APA, 7th ed. format) for your work.
The American Hospital Association’s Patients’ Bill of Rights is a set of guidelines that outline the fundamental rights and expectations of patients when receiving medical care. These rights include:
- Respect and Dignity: Patients have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, and cultural sensitivity by all healthcare professionals.
- Information: Patients have the right to receive clear and understandable information about their medical condition, treatment options, risks, and benefits. They also have the right to ask questions and make informed decisions.
- Informed Consent: Patients have the right to give or withhold informed consent for any medical procedure or treatment. Healthcare professionals must ensure that patients understand the risks and benefits before obtaining consent.
- Confidentiality: Patients have the right to have their medical information kept confidential and shared only with those involved in their care, unless they provide consent for other uses.
- Choice of Providers: Patients have the right to choose their healthcare providers and be informed of any potential conflicts of interest.
- Access to Medical Records: Patients have the right to access their medical records and request amendments or corrections when necessary.
- Advance Directives: Patients have the right to create advance directives, such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare, to guide their care if they become unable to make decisions.
- Respect for Patient Wishes: Healthcare professionals should respect and honor the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values and beliefs of patients when providing care.
- Complaints and Appeals: Patients have the right to voice complaints and grievances about their care and to have those concerns addressed promptly and fairly.
To ensure that patients’ rights are upheld and protected, healthcare professionals can take several actions:
- Effective Communication: Healthcare professionals should communicate clearly and effectively with patients, ensuring they understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and any potential risks involved.
- Informed Consent: Prior to any medical procedure, healthcare providers should obtain informed consent from patients, explaining the procedure, its purpose, and potential risks.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Healthcare facilities must have robust policies and procedures in place to protect patient privacy and maintain the confidentiality of medical records.
- Cultural Competence: Healthcare professionals should undergo cultural competence training to better understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of patients.
- Advance Care Planning: Encourage patients to create advance directives and discuss end-of-life care preferences to ensure their wishes are honored.
- Patient Advocacy: Healthcare professionals should advocate for their patients’ rights, even in challenging situations, and help patients navigate the healthcare system.
- Complaint Resolution: Healthcare organizations should have mechanisms in place for patients to voice concerns or complaints, and these should be addressed promptly and transparently.
In conclusion, upholding and protecting patients’ rights is essential in providing ethical and patient-centered care. Healthcare professionals and organizations must be vigilant in ensuring that these rights are respected, and they should promote a culture of patient-centered care that prioritizes open communication and respect for patient autonomy and dignity.