What is the Patient’s Bill of Rights?

With Patient Safety Awareness Week behind us, it’s so important that all patients can understand and identify their medical rights. Many times, medical decisions are being made in a hectic environment and patients may not understand their options. The Patient’s Bill of Rights tries to improve the relationship between patients and providers by explaining how each of their roles fit into the healthcare system.

Protection of Privacy

Patients have the right to confidentiality regarding any medical care and treatments. The ability to have access to your medical information, copy it for reference, or ask your doctors to change it if it’s inaccurate or incomplete.

Safe and Clean Treatment Environment

Healthcare providers are required to treat their patients respectfully and without bias. If this is violated, a patient has the right to file a complaint against that staff member. Patients also have the right to choose their healthcare providers.

Involvement in Care

You have the right to access all information regarding your case that is accurate, easy to understand, and in your language. If you have any questions regarding your treatment or care, you also have the right to access any assistance you may need to understand the medical information. This allows the patient to be involved in decision making during treatment.

Although the Patient’s Bill of Rights is not a legally binding document, it exists to help minimize the risk of medical malpractice. When patients and healthcare providers communicate about treatment, medical history, and side effects of treatments, the likelihood for misdiagnosis and medication error decreases significantly. Knowing and using your medical rights will help both you and the healthcare provider throughout the treatment process.

If you think your medical rights were violated, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Rob Levine & Associates for a free case evaluation.