Patients Rights Essay -- patients’ bill of rights

The practice of medicine in the 1960s saw a change in the doctor-patient relationship that ultimately cultivated the patients’ rights movement. Individuals sought to become proactive in the healthcare and the healing process of their bodies. Because the medical practice was evolving rapidly in technology and specialized care, patients’ healthcare and rights became a major concern that needed to be addressed. In 1973 the American Hospital Association published a patients’ bill of rights that provided the patient with most advantageous healthcare available. This bill of rights required all accredited hospitals to accept this standard moving forward (Patients' Rights, 2004). The American Medical Association (AMA) developed a Code of Medical Ethics which includes: the patient has a right to obtain and discuss health information related to benefits, risks, and costs of treatment alternatives; patient’s can make decisions pertaining to healthcare suggested by the physician; the patient has the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, and attention to healthcare needs in a timely manner; and the patient has a right to confidentially, continuity, and adequate health care. (emedicinehealth, 2011). Communicating openly and honestly between the patient and doctor will allow both parties to make decisions to properly take care of needs. Patients’ have the right to know all details related to the service or treatment that will be provided and the right to refuse any such service or treatment before it happens. This informed consent will communicate exact procedure details, pain intensity and or disability period encountered, risk involvement, and any alternative methods of treatment and its risks. A patient will receive a concurrence... ...egrity of protected health information. Works Cited emedicinehealth. (2011). Retrieved February 23, 2011, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script Fiore, K. (2011) HIPAA Violation Costs Cignet Millions. Retrieved March 15, 2011 from http://www/medpagetoday.com/tbprint.cfm?tbid=25036 Patients' Rights. (2000). Retrieved February 23, 2011, from The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia: http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com Patients' Rights. (2004). Retrieved February 2011, 23, from New Harvard Guide to Women' Health, The. http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. (2011, January). Retrieved March 03, 2011, from PrivacyRights.org: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. (2011). Retrieved February 23, 2011, from hhs.gov: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa