Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-14-04-.08

Current through December 10, 2024

Section 1200-14-04-.08 - PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS

The following are the rights of any patient pursuant to this chapter:

(1) Neither mail nor other communication to or from a patient in any approved treatment facility may be intercepted, read, or censored. The approved treatment facility may adopt reasonable policies regarding the use of the telephone in the facility.

(2) Patients in any approved facility shall be granted opportunities for visitation and communication with their families and friends consistent with an effective treatment program. Patients shall be permitted to consult with counsel at any time.

(3) Any patient confined pursuant to the provisions of these Rules may be given treatment only with the patient's consent, or if the patient is adjudicated incompetent, then the consent of the guardian must be obtained. Patients must understand that refusal to cooperate with treatment will compel continued actions on the part of the health officer to protect the public's health.

(4) Isolation of the patient from other patients in the confinement of an approved treatment facility setting shall be used only when medically necessary to prevent serious harm to others because the patient is infectious and there is an imminent danger that the patient will engage in high-risk behaviors. Isolation shall not be used when the condition no longer exists or there is no longer an imminent danger that the patient will engage in the behavior justifying isolation. Any use of isolation, together with the reasons therefor and the duration of its use, shall be made a part of the medical record of the patient.

(5) No patient placed in confinement pursuant to these Rules shall, solely by reason of such placement, be denied the right to dispose of property, execute instruments, make purchases, enter into contractual relationships, and vote, to the extent that such activities can be undertaken without jeopardizing the public health and unless such patient has been adjudicated incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and has not been restored to legal capacity.

(6) A patient shall be provided the maximum freedom possible. Limitations on a patient's freedom are permitted only when reasonably necessary to protect the health of others in the facility or the public health. The patient shall be allowed, within these constraints, to exercise, recreate, and go outdoors for a reasonable period of time on a daily basis.

(7) No mechanical restraint shall be applied in the care, training, or treatment of any person unless required by the person's medical or treatment needs. Only physicians may prescribe such restraint. Such restraint shall be removed whenever the condition justifying its use no longer exists. Any use of a mechanical restraint, together with the reasons therefor, and the duration of its use, shall be made a part of the medical or rehabilitation record of the person. Patients shall not be abused nor neglected nor administered corporal punishment. Mechanical restraints shall not be used in lieu of, or in place of, appropriate medical management for conditions such as drug or alcohol intoxication, habituation or addiction.

(8) Confidentiality.

(a) All applications, certificates, records, reports, and all legal documents, petitions, and records made or information received pursuant to treatment in a facility directly or indirectly identifying a patient or former patient shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed by any person except insofar as any of the following consent:

1. The individual identified who is fourteen (14) years of age or over;

2. The legal guardian on behalf of the adult individual identified;

3. The parent, guardian, or custodian of a minor;

4. The executor, administrator or personal representative on behalf of a deceased patient or resident or former patient or resident; or

5. As a court may direct upon its determination that disclosure is necessary for the conduct of proceedings before it and that failure to make such disclosure would be contrary to public interest or to the detriment of either party to the proceedings, consistent with the provisions of T.C.A. §§ 10-7-504(a) or 68-10-113.

(b) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit disclosure of medical record information of a patient or resident to the Commissioner or to health officers.

(c) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit disclosure, upon proper inquiry and with the patient's consent, of information as to the current medical condition of a patient or resident to any members of the family of a patient or resident or to his relatives or friends.

(9) Health directives and public health measures should be written in non-technical, patient-appropriate language and should include the reasons for the health directive or public health measure (including a statement of actions the Department has taken prior to the directive or court order), tests and/or treatments expected, anticipated duration of the directive/public health measure, and rights of review or appeal as set out in these Rules.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-14-04-.08

Original rule filed January 11, 1994; effective March 27, 1994. Repeal and new rule filed March 30, 2004; effective July 29, 2004.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-1803(1), (3), (4), and (10), 4-5-202, 68-1-103, 68-1-104, 68-1-201, and 68-5-104.