Know Your Rights
Patients have specific rights as well as responsibilities. To understand these, the American Hospital Association has developed a brochure, The Patient Care Partnership: Understanding Expectations, Rights, and Responsibilities, available in a variety of languages including English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The brochure outlines what to expect during your hospital stay, including:
- High quality hospital care;
- A clean, safe environment;
- Involvement in your care;
- Protection of the privacy of your medical information;
- Help when leaving the hospital; and
- Help with your billing claims.
Access to Your Medical Records
Both state and federal law give patients’ the right to access their medical record and billing information. These laws also allow disclosure of patient information to family, legally authorized representatives, friends and others when the patient is incapacitated. Ask your hospital to share its privacy policy with you. General information is available on federal government’s Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
Right to Refuse Medical Care
You have the right to decide what may be done to your body during the course of medical treatment. Your physician will discuss with you the nature of your condition, the proposed treatment and any alternate procedures that are available. Your doctor also will provide you with information about the risks associated with certain medical procedures. This information will help you make an informed decision about the kind of treatment you want to receive.
If you become unable to make your own health care decisions and do not have a legal guardian or someone designated under a Medical Power of Attorney, then certain family members and others can make medical treatment decisions on your behalf.
Advance Directives
Sometimes an accident or illness leaves an adult unable to tell the doctor what care you do or do not want. Talking your preferences over with family members will help ensure that your wishes are honored. State law allows you to name an adult to make decisions on your behalf.
If a patient is terminally ill and unable to talk with doctors about care and treatment, a living will can make sure your wishes are followed. All adults – not just senior citizens – should plan in advance for the type of end-of-life care their want. State law allows adults to express their wishes, which only take effect when a patient is terminally ill or has a condition that is irreversible. As a person ages or a long-term medical condition changes, an individual may modify his/her plans for the types of health care desired. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has an online brochure, as well as links to state-accepted forms. http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/advancedcare.pdf
