The patient has the right to considerate, age appropriate, respectful care.
The patient has the right to obtain from his physician complete, current information concerning his diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate person on his behalf.
The patient has the right to know, by name, the physician responsible for coordinating his/her care.
The patient has the right to receive from this physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the specific procedure and/or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation.
Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when the patient requires information concerning medical alternatives, the patient has the right to such information. The patient also has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedures and treatment.
The patient also has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of his/her action.
The patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy concerning his own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his/her care must have permission of the patient to be present.
The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his care be treated as confidential.
The patient has the right to expect that within its capacity; a hospital must make reasonable response to the request of a patient for services. The hospital must provide evaluation, service and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. When medically permissible, a patient may be transferred to another facility only after he has received complete information and explanation concerning the needs for and the alternative to such a transfer. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer.
The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of his hospital to other health care and educational institutions insofar as his care is concerned.
The patient has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are treating him.
The patient has the right to be advised if the hospital proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. He has the right to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available and where. The patient has the right to expect that the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby he is informed by his physician or a delegate of the physician of the patient’s continuing health care requirements following discharge.
The patient has the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to his conduct as a patient. No catalog of rights can guarantee for the patient the kind of treatment he/she has to expect. A hospital has many functions to perform, including the prevention and treatment of disease, the education of both health professionals and patients, and the conduct of clinical research. All of these activities must be conducted with an overriding concern for the patient and above all, the recognition of his dignity as a human being. Success in achieving this recognition assures success in the defense of the rights of the patient.
Federal and state law allows you to determine the type and amount of care you wish to receive. Depending upon your medical condition, you may decide not to have CPR, or to have life support measures withheld or withdrawn. These are difficult decisions for you, your family, and your caregivers. The hospital has resources available for information and consultation regarding ethical or end of life decisions. No one can make these decisions for you, but every effort will be made to provide support, understanding and assistance in choosing the course of action with which you are comfortable.
If you are incapacitated, the hospital will respect any instructions you have given in a Living or Medical Power of Attorney. In the absence of these documents, the hospital will contact next of kin for guidance as provided by Texas law. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Patient Advocate.
