Question

Using the summary of the Patient Bill of Rights in your textbook, give five examples of policies and procedures that a medical office might institute to protect patient rights.

Answer 1

A. To seek consultation with physician(s) of their choice .

Example : hospital can put a policy of displaying all the physicians name on the display board under the headings of conserned department . And to make it more specific they can also displaying some feedbacks related to each physician in advertising pamphlet or in the website.

B. To be treated confidentiality, with access to their records limited to those involved in their care or designated by the patient.

Example : hospital management should keep a consent form in which privacy right will be written and give option for the patient to write name of person with whom they agreed to share his informations other than health care team and get signature during admission.

C. To use their own resources to purchase the care of their choice.

Example: A colum can be formed in the admission form stating that 'resources used during madical/surgical treatment and procedures will be purchased from a. By patient own/ relatives/ guardian (choice of their own resources) b. Health care team ( except emergency situation uses)

On the other hand if staffs are indenting any supplies then staffs should enter the name of procedure, numbers and name of the supplies used during the procedure , name of the staff , namenof thetphysician who has performed the procedure, date time under the patient's ID. In case patient selected own resources then staff also have to mention the reason of purchase along with it.

D. To refuse medical treatment even if it is recommend by their physician.

Example: patient refusal form . Physician should explain the prognosis and need of the treatment. If patient denies then risk should be explained by the physician. Still if the patient determined to refuse treatment patient's signature should be taken on patient refusal form in the presence of conserned physician and one supervisor. Physician should also sign . Under patient's signature witnesses signature should be take from patient's relatives or guardians. Under doctor's signature staff who is present during this incident can sign.

E. To be informed about their medical condition, the risk and benifits of treatment and appropriate alternatives.

Example : Informed consent . The patient should be informed about the truth of his /her medical vondition, treatments methods available and risk - benifit ratio of each alternative method , cost expected in the most understandable and simplified method and language by the conserned physician . After examplain if patient is agreed for the treatment then before starting the treatment patient's/ patient's guardian's signature (when patient is a child or not in condition to give consent) and the physician who has explained the treatment both signature should be obtained on informed consent . Witness signature same as option D.

On the other hand hospital should also set the ethical standard (justice, veracity, fidelity, benificience/ nonmaleficence, autonomy) to be followed by the staffs of the hospital.