WHAT are the Patient's BILL of RIGHTS?

Рет қаралды 24,018

3 жыл бұрын

There is a set standard of care that must be enforced in all American healthcare facilities. Patients have the right to proper care. Here is a breakdown on the standards set forth by the AHA.

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@thomaspenderel Жыл бұрын

Patient has the right to refuse treatment (sounds good doesn't it, almost reassuring). The problem is that hospital patients must sign a release to be admitted and in so doing surrender their right to refuse. I was admitted to a hospital in Maine (a right to refuse state so of course I thought I was safe). When I met with the anesthesiologist before surgery a nurse was in the room. After the anesthesiologist explained to me what he going to do the nurse chimed in with "before they start we are going give you a catheter." I immediately said no you're not. We went back and forth on this point. My argument was that I was healthy, have no issues with balance or my plumbing, the bathroom was right next to my hospital bed and immediately after waking up from surgery I would be taken by rehab people on walks several times during the day and night. So, I reasoned that being the case I could easily pop into the bathroom by my bed at the start of these several walks. So for that reason I refused the catheter and also because it's extremely degrading, very painful, a source of infection (my primary care physician told me so) and it's an unwanted cost tacked on to already enormous bill. Plus, I was there for 9 days with a catheter stuck inside for that length of time? I said no way but the nurse Told me I had no choice. Well the surgeon heard about this fight with the nurse and thankfully to my relief called off the catheter. And I did exactly what I said I would do, I used the bathroom during my several walks with rehab people, so no need for a catheter as I suspected. It has been 5 years now since my hospital stay I must have become legend among the nursing staff there as one recently approached me in the hospital halls. I was there for an x-ray not to see a nurse but she was waiting for me. She handed me form (that's not how they do those things there) and demanded I sign it and told me that my surgeon has no say in my treatment but rather the doctor on the floor, oh she was pissed. So next time are they going to respect my right to refuse treatment? I think not and these nurses are out for blood, MINE. No amount of stating my right to refuse is going to save me. In theory The Patient Bill of Rights sounds good but the reality is far different, so how do I protect myself, assert my rights and be respected? That one time I had a surgeon stand up for me but if there's a next time who will be my advocate then?