Patient Rights to Consider

Patients have a right to expect that an agency's or institution's policies and procedures will ensure certain rights and responsibilities for them. At all times, the patient has the right:

• To considerate, honest, respectful care, with consideration given to privacy and maintenance of personal dignity, cultural and personal values and beliefs, and physical and developmental needs, regardless of the setting.
• To be involved in decision making and to participate actively, if so desired, in the testing process, assuming the patient is competent to make these choices.
• To participate in the informed consent process before testing and to be told of the benefits, risks, and reasonable alternative approaches to tests ordered.
• To be informed regarding test costs and reimbursement responsibility.
• To refuse diagnostic testing.
• To expect to have the support of family or significant others, if so desired and appropriate during the testing process.
• To expect that standards of care will be followed by all personnel involved in the testing process.
• To expect safe, skilled, quality care provided by trained personnel with expertise in their field.
• To expect patient and family education and instructions regarding all phases of the testing process and procedure, including the nature and purpose of the test, pretest preparation, actual testing, posttest care benefits, risks, side effects, and complications. Information should be provided in a sensitive and objective manner.
• To expect to be informed in a timely manner of test results and implications, treatment, and future testing if necessary.
• To expect to be counseled appropriately regarding abnormal test outcomes as well as alternative options and available treatments.
• To expect to have acceptable pain control and comfort measures provided throughout the testing process.
• To expect that all verbal, written, and electronic communication, medical records, and medical record transfers will be accurate and confidential. Exception: when reporting of situation is required by law (eg, certain infectious diseases, child abuse).