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 agency must notify the Department within five (5) business days. Suspected abuse of a patient shall be reported immediately to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services as required by T.C.A. § 71-6-101 et seq.; (c) To have appropriate assessment and management of pain; (d) To be involved in the decision-making of all aspects of their care; (e) To refuse treatment. The patient must be informed of the consequences of that decision. A refusal and its reason must be reported to the physician and documented in the medical record; STANDARDS FOR HOME CARE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING CHAPTER 0720-28 HOSPICE SERVICES (f) 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 the medical record; and (g) 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 agency must have policies to govern access and duplication of the patient’s record. (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.