Patient Rights and

Roles/Responsibilit
ies
Objectives
• By the end of this presentation, the learner should be able to:
1) Define patient rights
2) List the objectives of patient rights
3) Describe the patient rights
4) Explain the roles or responsibilities of the patients in health care
provision
5) Report the challenges related to patient/ client rights
implementation
History and Definition

The Patient's Rights were first adopted and put into by the
American Hospital Association in 1973 and revised in
October 1992. Initially after World War II, the rights were
just a declaration not a law.
Patient rights were developed with the expectation that
hospitals and health care institutions would support these
rights in the interest of delivering effective patient care.
The Patients Rights were
made a law to try to reach
3 major goals:
• Assures that the health care
system is fair, and it works to
meet patients' needs.
• Gives patients a way to address
any problems they may have.
• Encourages patients to take an
active role in staying or getting
healthy.
History and definition
• In Uganda, the Patients’ rights are clearly stipulated in the newly
revised Patients Rights and Responsibilities Charter of June 2019 by
the MOH.
• The charter defines Patient rights as Entitlement for a client receiving
heath care service delivery.
Objectives of the MOH patients
rights charter
• Promote awareness of the rights of patients;
• Empower clients/ patients to demand and utilize high quality health
care services;
• Enhance client/ patient capacity to take responsibility of their health;
and
• Strengthen feedback management systems.
It is important to protect
patients' rights because;
When healthcare organizations recognize the basic human right of
patients to privacy, they demonstrate respect for patients and help to
preserve patients' dignity.

This recognition is particularly important as medical information

becomes digitized and can seem removed from a patient.

The law provides numerous rights and protections that make health
coverage fairer and easier to understand, along with subsidies to
make it more affordable.

The law also expands the Medical programs to cover more people
with low incomes.
PATIENT RIGHTS
Right to Access
to health care
Every person in need of health care is entitled to
impartial access to treatment in accordance with
regulations, conditions and arrangements obtaining at
any given time in the health care system.

Should a medical facility be unable to provide

treatment to the patient, it shall, to the best of their
facility, refer him/her to a place where he/she can
receive appropriate, timely, and quality medical care.

This applies to PFPs and PNFPs as well

The Right to
Emergency
Treatment

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to

provide medical treatment to any person with an
emergency medical condition.

Patients have the right to emergency medical

treatment regardless of their ability to pay.

In a medical emergency, a person is entitled to

receive emergency medical care unconditionally
in any health facility without having to pay any
deposits or fees prior to medical care.
Prohibition of
Discrimination
Individuals shall be given impartial access
to treatment or accommodations that are
available or medically indicated regardless
of race, creed, disease,

sex, national origin, cultural (tribe and

clan) or spiritual values, political affiliation,
age, social status, ethnicity,

Sexual orientation, nationality, disability or

source of payment.
 The Right to
Respect
The patient's right to respect, otherwise
known as nondiscrimination, is the right to
be treated with dignity and respect and is
not to be discriminated against for any
reason regardless of sex, race, age, national
origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, veteran or
military status, religion

This also means that patients have the right

to be treated humanely and never be
subjected to degrading treatment by any ​
healthcare professional.
The Right of
Informed Consent
The most important right that a patient has is the right of
informed consent. He/she is expected to make a free
informed, and independent choice.

A patient should only consent to medical treatment if they

have sufficient information about their diagnosis and all
treatment options available in terms, he/she can
understand.

Before a physician can begin any course of treatment, the

physician must make the patient aware of what he plans to
do. However, the clinician may withhold the medical
information if he/she strongly feels that it is likely to cause
severe harm to the patient’s mental or physical health.

For any course of treatment that is above routine medical

procedures, the physician must disclose as much
information as possible so the patient may make an
informed decision about his/her care.
The Right to Refuse
Treatment

It's a given that patients have certain rights including the

right to medical treatment in emergency situations, but
they also have the right to refuse medical treatment.

From an ethical perspective, physicians and other

healthcare professionals have the responsibility or duty to
protect the life and health of a patient.

However, ultimately, the patient has the final decision

regarding the medical treatment they receive, even when
it means they choose to decline such treatment.
The Right to
Choose Providers/
second option

All patients have the right to choose the provider who

renders healthcare services to them. Or seek an
alternate opinion with or without request or when
indicated.

This is typically in reference to patient referrals from

physicians and hospitals.

Physicians and hospitals often refer patients to

specialists, home health care, long-term facilities or
other healthcare professionals for further care outside
of their expertise or ability to provide continuity of care.

Many times, physician or hospital relationships violate a

patients right to choose the provider of their choice.
 The Right to
Privacy/
confidentiality
One of the most basic rights that a patient has is the right to
privacy.

Patients have the right to decide to whom, when, and to

what extent their private individually identifiable health
information is disclosed.

This information includes but is not limited to medical

diagnosis, treatment plans, prescriptions, health insurance
information, genetic information, clinical research records,
and mental health records.

For patients, a lack of privacy could lead to personal

embarrassment, public humiliation, and discrimination.
 The Patient’s Right to Medical
Information
The patient shall be entitled to obtain from the health
service provider or the medical facility, health information
concerning himself/herself, including a copy of his/her
medical records.

• Custody of Medical Records

The patient shall be the legal owner of his/her personal
medical records. The health facility is the custodian of the
medical records and will ensure that confidentiality is
adhered to.

• Medical records Retention (Medical archives)

a) General Health Conditions- 25 years (after the date the
file was created) or 3 years after death of the individual.
b) Obstetric: - 25 years after the birth of the child
(including still birth)
c) Psychiatric: - Lifetime of the patient or 3 years after
death
 The Right to
Appeal/
feedback
Patients have the right to a fair
review or appeal of any complaint
against physicians, hospitals, or
any other healthcare provider.

The right to appeal includes

complaints regarding:

• the adequacy of treatment

• the actions of healthcare personnel
• wait times
• operating hours
• billing and payment issues
Other rights

Right to Transparency in charged fee rates

The patient shall have the right to know the charged fee rates for medicines and medical
care and receive an itemised bill.

Right to Choose Medicine and care

The patient shall have the right to choose where they purchase medicines and care, not
necessarily in the health facility where they are being treated.

Rights of Discharge or Receive Dead Body

The patient shall have the right to shorten the length of their stay. The patient shall have
the right to be discharged or the caretakers to take the dead body and may not be
detained at the health facility because of procedural reasons or pay disputes.

Continuity of Care
No patient shall be abandoned by a health care service provider or a health facility that
initially took responsibility for one’s health, unless patient chooses otherwise.
Other rights con’t
Receiving Visitors
A patient is entitled to request, receive, and refuse visitors at the
times according to the guidelines provided by the health facility
management.

Right to Safety and Security

The patient has the right to safety and security to the extent that the
practices and medical equipment in health facility do no harm. The
right to safety should apply to a patient’s physical, sexual, and
mental safety.

Be Attended to by an Identified Service Provider

Every patient has the right to be attended to by an identified service
provider and know their name and cadre / position.
Other rights con’t
A Healthy and Safe Environment
Everyone has the right to a healthy and safe environment that will ensure
physical, mental and social well-being, including adequate water supply,
sanitation and waste disposal as well as protection from all forms of
environmental dangers such as pollution, ecological degradation and
infection.

Participation in Decision–Making
Every citizen has the right to participate or be represented in the
development of health policies and systems through legally recognized
institutions.

Proper Health Care

A patient shall be entitled to appropriate health care with regard to both its
professionalism, qualified health care practitioners, sensitive of patients
cultural and religious preferences and quality assurance based on clinical
need.
PATIENT
RESPONSIBILIT
IES OR ROLES

Patients have several

responsibilities to the
medical office including
active participation in
their treatment plan,
timely resolution of
their financial obligation
and respectful
interaction with all staff.
Patient Visitation Rights
Hospital must:

• Inform each patient (support person, where appropriate) of his or her visitation
rights, including any clinical restriction or limitation on such rights, when he or
she is informed of his or her rights at the time of admission.
• Inform each patient (support person, where appropriate) of the right, subject
to his or her consent to receive the visitors who he or she designates, including
but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner, (including a same-sex
domestic partner), another family member or a friend and his or her right to
withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
• Not restrict, limit or otherwise deny visitation on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability
Patient
Responsibilities
• Provision of information
The patient has the responsibility to provide
relevant, accurate and complete information
concerning his/her present complaints, past
illnesses, hospitalizations, medications
(including over the counter products and
dietary supplements), allergies and sensitivities,
and other matters relating to his/her health.
Patient
Responsibili
ties
• Responsibility to ask
The patient and family are
responsible for asking questions
when they do not understand
what they have been told about
the patient’s care or what they
are expected to do.
 • Compliance with service provider
instructions
Patient The patient is responsible for following the
Responsibili treatment plan established by his/her
ties physician, including the instructions of
nurses and other health professionals as
they carry out the physician’s orders meant
to improve his/her health.
 • Complying to the required duration of
admission
The health service provider shall determine each patient’s
length of stay at the health facility depending on his/her
health condition as assessed and available health services.
Patient No in-patient shall be allowed to remain in the health
Responsib facility longer than 8 weeks after admission unless
determined by the responsible health service provider or
ilities facility management.
The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and
for notifying the facility or physician when he/she is unable
to do so.
Patient
Responsibiliti
es
• The patient/family
member/patient representative is
responsible for disposition of the
patient valuables.
 • Provide a responsible adult to
transport him/her home from the
Patient facility and remain with him/her for
Responsibi a period of time designated by
his/her physician unless exempted
lities from that requirement by the
attending physician.
Patient
Responsibili
ties
• In the case of pediatric patients,
a parent or guardian is to remain
in the facility for the duration of
the patient’s stay in the facility.
 • Own consequences of refusal of
Patient health care service
Responsibi The patient is responsible for his/her
lities actions should he/she refuse treatment
or not follow his/her physician’s orders.
 • Staying healthy and in a safe environment
The patient has the responsibility to live in a healthy and safe
Patient environment that will prevent disease and ensure physical,
mental and social well-being. This should include adequate and
Responsibi safe water, sanitation and waste disposal as well as protection
from all forms of environmental dangers such as pollution,
lities ecological degradation and infection.
The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial
obligations of his/her care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
 • Possessing a Will
The patient is responsible to inform the facility
whether the patient has a living will, medical
Patient power of attorney or other directive that
Responsibili could affect his/her care.
ties The patient is free to advise the health service
providers on his/her wishes with regard to his/her
death including dying in dignity, spiritual support
as well as organ support and palliative care.
 Patient
Responsibili
ties
• Respect and consideration
The patient is responsible for being
respectful of all of the health care providers
and staff, as well as other patients.
And adhere to health facility regulations to
help stop the spread diseases, control
noise, smoke and the number of visitors.
He/she shall respect the rights and
property of other persons and of the health
facility. Patients should refrain from using
verbal abuse or physical violence against
health service providers or other patients.
 CHALLENGES IN
IMPLEMENTATION
• Limited Patient Awareness: Many patients may not be fully aware of
their rights. There's a need for widespread education and support to
enable patients to confidently exercise these rights.
• Balancing Individual Rights with Public Health: In certain situations,
such as public health emergencies, individual rights may need to be
temporarily restricted to protect the greater good, leading to ethical
dilemmas.
• Resource Constraints: In some cases, resource constraints and
systemic issues within the healthcare system may impede the full
realization of patient rights.
 REFERENCES
• Ministry of Health Uganda Patients rights and responsibilities charter,
2019
• O'Mathúna, D. P., Scott, A. P., McAuley, A., Walsh-Daneshmandi, A., &
Daly, B. (2005). Health care rights and responsibilities: a review of the
European charter of patient's rights. Irish Patients Association.
• Dempski, K. (2008). Patients’ rights and responsibilities. Essentials of
Nursing Law and Ethics, 62.
• Doll, R., & Peto, R. (2001). Rights involve responsibilities for
patients. Bmj, 322(7288), 730.
Thank You