Patient Rights

Patient Rights

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all patients of Teri’s Health Services (THS) are aware of their rights and are treated with dignity, respect and consideration.

II. POLICY

This policy shall be posted conspicuously in the patient lobby on the premises. At the time of admission, the patient or the patient’s representative will receive a copy of this policy.

All THS personnel shall ensure that each patient is treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.

III. DEFINITIONS“Informed consent” means:

(i) advising a patient or a patient’s representative of a proposed treatment, surgical procedures, psychotropic drug medication, opioid, or diagnostic procedure; alternatives to the treatment, surgical procedure, psychotropic drug medication, opioid, or diagnostic procedure; and associated risks and possible complications; and

(ii) obtaining documented authorization for the proposed treatment, surgical procedure, psychotropic drug medication, opioid or diagnostic procedure from the patient or the patient’s representative. “Medical record” means communications related to a patient’s physical or mental health or condition that are recorded in any form or medium and that are maintained for purposes of patient diagnosis or treatment, including medical records that are prepared by a health care provider or by other providers. Medical records do not include materials that are prepared in connection with utilization review, peer review or quality assurance activities, including records that a health care provider prepares pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 36-441, 36-445, 36-2402 or 36-2917.

Medical records do not include recorded telephone and radio calls to and from a publicly operated emergency dispatch office relating to requests for emergency services or reports of suspected criminal activity but include communications that are recorded in any form or medium between emergency medical personnel and medical personnel concerning the diagnosis or treatment of a person.“Patient” means an individual receiving physical health services or behavioral health services from a health care institution.“Patient’s representative” means any of the following:

A patient’s legal guardian;
If a patient is less than 18 years of age and not an emancipated minor, the patient’s parent;
If a patient is 18 years of age or older or an emancipated minor, an individual acting on behalf of the patient with written consent of the patient or a patient’s legal guardian; or
A surrogate as defined in A.R.S. § 36-3201.
IV. PROCEDURE

All THS personnel shall ensure that a patient is not subjected to:

a. Abuse;b. Neglect;c. Exploitation;d. Coercion;

Title: PATIENT RIGHTS

Section:

Patient’s Rights

f. Sexual abuse;g. Sexual assault;h. Restraint or seclusion, except as allowed in A.A.C. R9-10-1012

(B) (THS does not provide restraint or seclusion of patient’s as a matter of policy);i. Retaliation for submitting a complaint to the Department or another entity; orj. Misappropriation of personal and private property by a THS personnel member, employee, volunteer, or student.

All THS personnel shall ensure that a patient or the patient’s representative:a. Except in an emergency, either consents to or refuses treatment;b. May refuse or withdraw consent for treatment before treatment is initiated;c. Except in an emergency, is informed of alternatives to a proposed psychotropic medication or surgical procedure and associated risks and possible complications of a proposed psychotropic medication or surgical procedure;d. Is informed of the following:i.

THS’ policy on health care directives CR 500.01, andii. The patient complaint process QP 200.00;e. Consents to photographs of the patient before a patient is photographed, except that a patient may be photographed when admitted to an outpatient treatment center for identification and administrative purposes; andf. Except as otherwise permitted by law, provides written consent to the release of information in the patient’s:i. Medical record, orii. Financial records.

All patients have the following rights:

1. Not to be discriminated against based on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or diagnosis;

2. To receive treatment that supports and respects the patient’s individuality, choices, strengths, and abilities;

3. To receive privacy in treatment and care for personal needs;

4. To review, upon written request, the patient’s own medical record according to A.R.S. §§ 12-2293, 12-2294, and 12-2294.01;

5. To receive a referral to another health care institution if the outpatient treatment center is not authorized or not able to provide physical health services or behavioral health services needed by the patient;

6. To participate or have the patient's representative participate in the development of, or decisions concerning, treatment;

7. To participate or refuse to participate in research or experimental treatment; and

8. To receive assistance from a family member, the patient’s representative, or other individual in understanding, protecting, or exercising the patient’s rights.TitleV. RELATED POLICIESRC 300.04 – Medical Records PolicyQP 200.00 – Grievance and Complaints