Patient Rights & responsibilities

Patient Rights :

• Every Patient has a right to competent high quality care and treatment given with respect and dignity.
• Patients have a right to be informed about the diagnosis of their problems. They also have a right to be informed of any other significant illness, as soon as practicably possible.
• Patients have the right to be able to talk freely to their Doctor. They have a right to know the name and functions of all doctors involved directly in their care.
• Patients have a right to be informed of all costs involved in their care. Only certain staff may have knowledge of costs.
• Patients have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to their conduct as patients. They have the right to be informed of their rights as soon as possible.
• Patients have the right to participate in the decision on the type of treatment selected for them. They also have the right to refuse treatment offered by the Hospital to the extent permitted by law. They should be informed of the medical consequences of this refusal.
• Patients have the right to be informed about the reason for various tests they must take and be instructed about their meaning.
• Patients have a right to be informed, in specific terms, about what to do in case of emergency.
• Patients have the right to seek other medical options and be informed of all costs when Consultants are informed.
• Patients have the right to be fully informed regarding any research programmes in which they are involved, and may refuse to participate without fear of reprisal.
• Patients with language/hearing concerns have a right to have an interpreter available. Also, patients should be spoken to in laymans terms.
• Patients have a right to know the proper steps or handling grievances. They have the right to make known their dissatisfaction with any aspect of service provided without intimidation.
• Patients have a right to be informed about new developments pertaining to their care, as they occur.
• Patients have a right to be able to change their mode of treatment and hospital if they so desire in consultation with their physician
• Patients have a right to privacy, including medical records. Patients have a right to see their medical records after receiving permission from their doctors and allowing staff time to gather such information.
• Patients have a right to raise any questions which they might have regarding any aspect of their care. Any member of the health-care team will assist them to receive prompt, personal and courteous attention.
• Patients have the right to respond to their spiritual & religious beliefs in a polite & respectful manner without obstructing the ongoing treatment and in accordance with hospital policies.

Patients Responsibilities :

• Each patient has the responsibility to inform the team accurately of his/her medical history, hospitalizations and medications. The best source of information the unit has concerning a patient’s health is the patient and the patient’s previous medical records.
• Each patient is responsible for respecting the rights of other patients /staff in regard to visitors, noise, smoking and anything that can be annoying to others. Thoughtful consideration is as much a responsibility as a right.
• Each patient is further responsible for making arrangements for the prompt payment of bills. Only through cooperation and financial promptness can our hospital continue to serve the community.
• Each patient is responsible for informing the team/Consultant/ Technician if he/she is unable to follow instructions or finds them unclear.
• Patients are responsible for cooperation and compliance to diet restrictions, medications, and methods/prescriptions.
• Patients are responsible for following hospital policies and procedures.
• Patients are responsible for careful use of hospital supplies and property.
• Patients are responsible for valuable personal effects brought to the hospital.
• Patients are responsible for addressing their concerns and must raise any questions which they might have about their care.
• Each patient is responsible for making known in a courteous manner his/her dissatisfaction with any aspect of service provided.
• Patients are expected not to use abusive or profane language with other patients or staff.
• Patients are encouraged to give encouragement and support to other patients.