D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B2022

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 22-B2022 - PATIENT RIGHTS

2022.1

Each hospital shall protect and promote each patient's rights. This includes the establishment and implementation of written policies and procedures, which include, but are not limited to, the following rights. Each patient or designee, when appropriate, shall have the right to:

(a) Respectful and safe care given by competent personnel;

(b) Be informed of patient rights during the admission process;

(c) Be informed in advance about care and treatment and of any change;

(d) Participate in the development and implementation of a plan of care and any changes;

(e) Make informed decisions regarding care and to receive information necessary to make decisions;

(f) Refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing treatment;

(g) Formulate advance directives and have the hospital comply with the directives unless the hospital notifies the patient of the inability to do so;

(h) Personal privacy and confidentiality of medical records;

(i) Be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation;

(j) Access information contained in his/her medical record within a reasonable time frame when requested, subject to limited circumstances where the attending physician determines it would be harmful to disclose the information to the patient for therapeutic reasons;

(k) Be free from chemical and physical restraints that are not medically necessary;

(l) Receive hospital services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or payer. Hospitals are not required to provide uncompensated or free care and treatment unless otherwise required by law; and

(m) Voice complaints and file grievances without discrimination or reprisal and have those complaints and grievances addressed.

2022.2

Each hospital shall establish and implement a process to provide patients and/or their designee appropriate education to assist in understanding the identified condition and the necessary care and treatment.

2022.3

Each hospital shall document its assessment of each patient's ability to understand the scope and nature of the diagnosis and treatment needed.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B2022

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 8813 (August 15, 2008)