When you undergo care as a patient, there are certain rights that must be afforded to you by law. While these may differ slightly from state to state, patient rights in Charlotte, NC are largely similar to those across the nation.
What Are Patient Rights in Healthcare (Charlotte, NC)?
Your health and wellbeing are about more than just your recovery from illness or injury. As a patient, you have the right to be respected by the physicians and other healthcare staff who care for you. Under the Code of Medical Ethics, this means that you have certain patient rights in healthcare, which can be summarized as follows:
- Patients have the right to respectful, courteous, and timely attention for their healthcare needs.
- You should be given sufficient information on conditions or injuries and any proposed healthcare treatment. This includes the benefits, risks, and costs associated with treatment, in addition to alternative treatments. You should also expect to be given a professional opinion on the best course of action.
- As a patient, you must be allowed to ask questions about your health or treatment options that are recommended to you. You have a right to fully understand all options and to have them explained to you until you are satisfied that you have the information needed to make decisions.
- You have the right to privacy and confidentiality, which must be respected by your physicians and other healthcare providers.
- You’re entitled to copies or summaries of your medical records.
- All patients are within their rights to seek out a second opinion.
- Before care commences, you must be made aware of any potential conflicts of interest with your physician.
- You have a right to continuity regarding your healthcare. As a patient, you should expect that your physicians and other healthcare providers will make every effort to see your recovery through to the end. This includes continuing care and coordinating with other departments or healthcare professionals until such a time that your illness or injury is treated sufficiently.
Other Patient Rights in Healthcare, Charlotte, NC
Other patient rights in healthcare, specifically in Charlotte, NC, include the rights to:
- Be given the names of all professionals involved in your care upon request;
- Be informed about what facility or provider rules and regulations apply to you, as a patient;
- Be asked to consent to treatment, unless otherwise not in a position to provide it;
- Be advised when care is to be provided under a research or donation program, or to provide consent for such care;
- Understand when you can refuse treatment, and be allowed to do so;
- Be free from discrimination under any protected characteristics, including race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, and payment method;
- Be provided with a translator at no cost, when available, in the event that you do not speak English;
- Be allowed to sleep without interruption, unless there is a medical need to be woken;
- Be free from unnecessary duplication and repetition of medical procedures;
- Access treatment that doesn’t cause unnecessary pain or discomfort;
- Receive a detailed explanation and breakdown of billed medical costs.
One of the most important patient rights to be aware of is that you may not be denied access to an agency or individual who’s authorized to act on your behalf, especially when they are acting to protect your rights. While this may be a nominated family member, many people turn to patient advocacy services. As you can see, there are numerous patient rights, and making sure that these are all being met is no small task, especially when dealing with a potentially upsetting diagnosis.
You can read more about what patient advocates do if you’re interested in understanding how the service can help you. Alternatively, you can find more information on government websites for both patient rights under the Affordable Care Act and patient rights under Medicare.
Why Should I Use a Patient Advocacy Service?
As a patient, it’s important to understand your rights and how to ensure that they are being met. However, navigating the vast healthcare system while potentially facing a difficult diagnosis can be daunting.
Even those with experience working in the healthcare industry will typically agree that you need that extra layer of support that can be provided by a patient advocate. An advocate can take over communication with your healthcare team, getting you answers to your questions, while making sure that you avoid unnecessary hospital stays and delays.
The best patient advocacy services in Charlotte, NC rely on experienced healthcare staff who take on the role of advocate. Drawing on this experience, we can expertly navigate the care options available, avoid costly mistakes, anticipate gaps in healthcare provision, and help to speed up the delivery of your care, saving you time, stress, and money.
By using a patient advocacy service, you can focus on recovery, while receiving the assistance you need to ensure that your goals and priorities are met through your plan of care.
Reach out to Care Weavers for more information on patient rights in healthcare, Charlotte, NC.