Replies week 3_5550

Text #1

by
Yara Gonzalez Nieves

Introduction:

In healthcare settings, the adherence to patient rights is paramount to delivering patient-centered care. The responsibility to ensure that these rights are upheld and protected lies with healthcare professionals. This discussion aims to explore how healthcare professionals can fulfill this duty and promote the rights of patients. The discussion will provide insights into the strategies, policies, and practices that healthcare professionals can adopt, with relevant citations and references from 2019-2023 in APA format.

1. Patient Education:

One critical aspect of upholding patients’ rights is ensuring that they are adequately informed about their rights and responsibilities. Healthcare professionals should provide patients with information on their rights during their hospital stay. This can be accomplished through the distribution of educational brochures, workshops, and one-on-one communication (The Patient Care Partnership, 2019). Educating patients empowers them to assert their rights, promotes autonomy, and fosters a collaborative patient-provider relationship.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy:

Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality is essential in maintaining their trust and upholding their rights. Healthcare professionals should strictly adhere to legal and ethical guidelines, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, to safeguard patient information (The Patient Care Partnership, 2019). Adherence to privacy policies, securing medical records, and maintaining confidentiality in discussions and consultations are crucial responsibilities of healthcare professionals (Smith et al., 2019).

3. Informed Consent:

Obtaining informed consent is a fundamental aspect of patient rights. Healthcare professionals must ensure that patients have a comprehensive understanding of the proposed treatment or intervention, including its benefits, risks, and alternatives. Informed consent should be obtained voluntarily without any coercion or undue influence (Smith et al., 2019). Healthcare professionals should engage in open and transparent communication to address patients’ concerns, answer their questions, and involve them in decision-making processes (The Patient Care Partnership, 2019).

4. Patient Advocacy:

Healthcare professionals should serve as advocates for patients, particularly when patients are unable to assert their rights independently. Advocacy involves supporting patients’ choices, needs, and preferences while navigating complex healthcare systems (Noelker, 2019). It includes empowering patients to voice their concerns, addressing disparities, and promoting equitable access to care. Healthcare professionals can advocate for patients by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, engaging in policy discussions, and promoting patient-centered policies (Smith et al., 2019).

5. Quality Improvement and Safety:

Upholding patients’ rights also involves ensuring high-quality care and a safe environment. Healthcare professionals should actively participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and minimize medical errors. This can be achieved by adhering to evidence-based guidelines, following infection control protocols, and practicing effective communication and collaboration within healthcare teams (The Patient Care Partnership, 2019). Continuous learning, staying updated with current research and best practices, and engaging in interprofessional education can contribute to improved patient safety and rights protection (Noelker, 2019).

Conclusion:

Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in upholding and protecting patients’ rights. Through patient education, promotion of confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, patient advocacy, and commitment to quality improvement and safety, healthcare professionals can ensure the rights of patients are respected and upheld. By adopting these strategies and integrating them into their practice, healthcare professionals contribute to patient-centered care and the ethical delivery of healthcare services.

References:

Noelker, L. S. (2019). Promoting patient rights through health advocacy. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 31(5), 376-391.

Smith, A., Godfrey, M., Green, J., Cheater, F., & Inouye, S. (2019). The impact of patient-centred care interventions on healthcare professionals: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 96, 133-142.

The Patient Care Partnership. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.aha.org/advocacy/patient-care-partnership

Text #2

by
Leyanis Ferreira Espinosa –

The Patient’s Bill of Rights, developed by the American Hospital Association , is an encompassing document that delineates the fundamental entitlements of individuals receiving medical care. Healthcare professionals can ensure these rights are upheld:

1. Communication: Effective communication is crucial in upholding patients’ rights. Healthcare professionals should provide clear information about the patient’s condition, treatment options, and potential risks involved. They should use plain and understandable language and encourage patients to ask questions and express their concerns.

2. Informed Consent: Healthcare professionals should obtain informed consent from patients before initiating any treatment, procedure, or research study. This involves providing relevant information, discussing the benefits and risks, and ensuring that patients possess the ability to comprehend and make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

3. Privacy and Confidentiality: Individuals possess the entitlement to privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information. Healthcare professionals ought to implement appropriate measures to protect patient privacy, such as maintaining secure records, using secure communication channels, and obtaining patient consent for sharing information with other healthcare providers.

4. Respect and Dignity: Healthcare professionals should provide care to patients with esteem, dignity, and without discrimination. This includes addressing patients by their preferred name, listening to their concerns, and involving them in decision-making processes regarding their care.

5. Access to Information: Individuals have the entitlement to obtain their medical records and information about their diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress. Healthcare professionals should facilitate patient access to this information while ensuring appropriate safeguards to protect patient confidentiality.

6. Complaints and Grievances: Healthcare professionals should implement systems to handle patient complaints and grievances. They ought to provide information on how patients can voice their concerns, offer prompt and fair resolution, and ensure that patients are not retaliated against for expressing their grievances.

7. Continuity of Care: Patients have the right to continuity of care, which involves ensuring a smooth transition between healthcare providers or facilities. Healthcare professionals should collaborate with other providers, share necessary information, and coordinate care to minimize disruptions and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

8. Ethical Conduct and Research: Healthcare professionals should adhere to ethical standards and guidelines in their practice. They should obtain appropriate ethical approval for research involving human subjects, inform patients about their participation, and respect their autonomy in deciding whether to participate.

These are just a few examples of how healthcare professionals can ensure patients’ rights are upheld and protected. It’s essential for healthcare organizations and professionals to familiarize themselves with specific guidelines and regulations in their respective countries or regions to ensure compliance with local laws and best practices.

References

World Health Organization. (2022). Patients’ Rights.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patients-rights

U S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). Your Rights as a Hospital Patient.

https://www.hhs.gov/answers/healthcare/your-rights-as-a-hospital-patient/index.html