Patient Rights

(1) Each patient has at least the following rights: (a) To privacy in treatment and personal care; (b) To be free from mental and physical abuse. Should this right be violated, the facility must notify the Commission within five (5) working days. The Tennessee Department STANDARDS FOR HOSPITALS CHAPTER 0720-14 of Human Services, Adult Protection Services shall be notified immediately as required in T.C.A. § 71-6-103; (c) To refuse treatment. The patient must be informed of the consequences of that decision, the refusal and its reason must be reported to the physician and documented in the medical record; (d) To refuse experimental treatment and drugs. The patient’s or health care decision- maker’s written consent for participation in research must be obtained and retained in his or her medical record; (e) To have their records kept confidential and private. Written consent by the patient must be obtained prior to release of information except to persons authorized by law. If the patient lacks capacity, written consent is required from the patient’s health care decision-maker. The hospital must have policies to govern access and duplication of the patient’s record; (f) To have access to a phone number to call if there are questions or complaints about care; (g) To have appropriate assessment and management of pain; and (h) To be involved in the decision-making of all aspects of their care. (2) Each patient has a right to self-determination, which encompasses the right to make choices regarding life-sustaining treatment (including resuscitative services). This right of self- determination may be effectuated by an advance directive.