copyright © 2008 delmar learning. all rights reserved. unit 3 consumer rights and responsibilities...

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Unit 3Consumer Rights and

Responsibilities in Health Care


Objectives

• Spell and define terms.

• Explain the purpose of health care consumer rights.

• Describe six items that are common to the Resident’s Rights, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, and the Client’s Rights in Home Care.


Objectives

• List three specific rights from each of the three documents.

• Describe eight responsibilities of health care consumers.


Consumer Rights

• Three documents refer to health care consumer’s rights:– Resident’s Rights– Patient’s Bill of Rights– Client’s Rights


Consumer Rights

• Facilities are required to have the bill of rights translated into languages that are common in the community

• If the patient cannot understand the information due to a mental condition– Bill of rights is given to his or her family


Consumer Rights

• Staff are expected to be familiar with and protect each patient’s rights


Consumer Rights

• All persons working in health care – Should be familiar with the document that

pertains to the facility they work in

• Supporting the rights of health care consumers – Contributes to more effective care


Consumer Rights

• All of these documents– Are similar and emphasize the rights of the

patient, resident, or client


Consumer Rights

• Health care consumers have the right to:– Be treated in a respectful, dignified manner– Have the benefit of open and honest

communication with caregivers– Have a role in decision making for

treatment choices and planning of care


Consumer Rights

• Health care consumers have the right to:– Be advised of their rights about advance

directives• Documents that give instructions about a

consumer’s wishes for treatment if the consumer is unable to communicate


Consumer Rights

• Health care consumers have the right to:– Receive continuity of care– Be informed of resources available for

resolving conflicts or grievances


Responsibilities of Health Care Consumers

• Providing for the rights of consumers will not ensure quality care unless:– Consumers are willing to fulfill certain

responsibilities



• These responsibilities include:– Maintaining personal health care records– Communicating openly with physicians and

other caregivers– Providing information regarding past

hospitalizations and medications



• These responsibilities include:– Informing physicians and other caregivers

if they anticipate problems with following prescribed treatments

– Accepting responsibility for learning how to manage their own health



• These responsibilities include:– Asking for clarification if they do not fully

understand instructions or explanations– Living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding

unnecessary risks of illness or injury



• These responsibilities include:– Accepting financial responsibility for

payment of health care and providing information for insurance claims