b. The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care, with recognition
of his personal dignity.
c. The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy concerning his own
medical care program. Discussion of his case, consultations, examinations, and
treatment must be conducted discreetly. Anyone not directly involved in the patient's
care must have his permission to be present. The patient has the right to confidential
d. The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of
individuals providing service to him. He also has the right to know of the existence of
any professional relationships among individuals who are treating him, as well as the
relationships to other health care institutions involved in his care.
e. The patient has the right to obtain information from the physician concerning
diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms that can be easily, understood. When it is
not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should
be made available to a legally authorized individual.
f. The patient has the right to receive from his physician information necessary
to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. This
includes such things as the specific procedure and/or treatment, the risks involved,
alternatives for care or treatment, and the name of the person responsible for the
procedures and/or treatment.
g. The patient has the right to know if the hospital plans to engage in or perform
human experimentation affecting his care or treatment. He also has the right to refuse
to participate in such projects.
h. The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law.
i. When medically permissible, a patient may be transferred to another facility,
but only after he has received an explanation as to the needs for and alternatives to
such a transfer. Also, the institution to which the patient is to be sent must have first
accepted the patient.
j. The patient has the right to reasonable continuity of care following
hospitalization.
k. Regardless of the source of payment, the patient has the right to request and
receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the hospital bill. (In a federal hospital,
there would be a flat rate per day.)
MD0520
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