Scope: Karwan-e-Hayat shall support and protect the fundamental human, civil, constitutional and statutory rights of each patient within its facility.
Karwan-e-Hayat shall exercise this policy that describe the rights of patients and the means by which these rights are protected and exercised. These rights include the following;
1. Each patient shall have impartial access to treatment, regardless of race, religion, sex, and ethnicity.
2. Each patient’s personal dignity shall be recognized and respected in the provision of all care and treatment.
3. Each patient shall receive individualized treatment, which shall include at least the following;
- i. The provision of adequate human services regardless of source(s) of financial support;
- ii. The provision of services within the least restrictive environment possible;
- iii. The provision of an individual treatment plan;
- iv. The periodic review of the patient's treatment plan;
- v. The active participation of patients over twelve (12) years of age and their responsible parent, relative, or guardian in planning for treatment; and
- vi. The provision of an adequate number of competent, qualified and experienced professional clinical sta to supervise and implement the treatment plan.
4. Each patient’s personal privacy shall be assured and protected within the constraints of the individual treatment plan.
- i. The patient's family and significant others, shall be allowed to visit the patient, unless such visits are clinically contraindicated.
- ii. Suitable areas shall be provided for patients to visit in private, unless such privacy is contraindicated by the patient's treatment plan.
- iii. Patients shall be allowed to conduct private telephone conversations with family and friends, unless clinically contraindicated.
- a) Patients can talk to their families using the telephone at the counter but patients are not allowed to keep their cell phones unless allowed by the Consultant / HoD MS.
- b) The hospital sta will not facilitate in making a phone call, however, families may call.
- c) If limitations on visitors, telephone calls or other communications are indicated for practical reasons limitations shall be determined with the participation of the patient and the patient's family. All such restrictions shall be fully explained to the patient and the patient's family
5. Each patient has the right to request the opinion of a consultant at his or her expense or to request an in-house review of the individual treatment plan, as provided in specific procedures of the facility.
6. Patients can request for a change of Consultant, through a written application to the Hospital Management or C.E.O. Only after a written approval a formal change of Consultant process will be initiated.
7. Each patient shall be informed of his or her rights in a language the patient understands.
8. Each patient shall receive a written statement of patient rights and a copy of this statement shall be posted in various areas of the facility.
9. As appropriate, the patient, the patient’s family or the patient’s legal guardian shall be fully informed about the following items;
- i. The rights of patients;
- ii. The professional sta members responsible for his or her care and their professional status;
- iii. The nature of the care, procedures and treatment that he or she will receive;
- iv. The risks, side e ects and benefits of all medications and treatment procedures used.
10. The alternate treatment procedures that are available;
- i. The right to refuse to participate in any research project without compromising his or her access to facility services;
- ii. The right to refuse specific medications or treatment procedures;
- iii. The responsibility of the facility when the patient refuse treatment, to seek appropriate legal alternatives or orders of involuntary treatment, or, in accordance with professional standards, to terminate the relationship with the patient upon reasonable notice;
- iv. As appropriate, the cost, itemized when possible, of services rendered;
- v. The reasons for any proposed change in the professional sta responsible for the patient, or for any transfer of the patient either within or outside of the facility.
- vi. The rules and regulations of the facility applicable to his or her conduct;
- vii. The right to initiate a complaint or grievance procedure and review of the complaint;
- viii. The discharge plans; and ix. The plans for meeting continuing mental and physical health requirements following discharge.
11. In accordance with the requirements of any applicable standard in this policy, a written, dated and signed informed consent form shall be obtained from the patient, the patient’s family or the patient’s legal guardian, as appropriate, for participation in any research project.
12. The maintenance of confidentiality of communications between patients and sta and of all information recorded in patient records shall be the responsibility of all sta ff.
13. Karwan-e-Hayat shall provide continuing training for all sta and specific orientation for all new personnel in the principles of confidentiality and privacy.