The Patient Bill of Rights is a list of rights first developed in 1973 and then revised in 1992 by the American Hospital Association. These rights have been formulated over time using a combination of state and federal laws, medical ethics, and generally accepted practices. The core of patient rights is being able to be treated with dignity and respect as well as being empowered to make decisions about personal healthcare choices. This online training explains each area of patient rights and how medical care providers can protect them.

Organizations committed to patient rights are more competitive in the marketplace, have a stronger reputation in the community, and have lower insurance rates. Organizations ignoring patient rights commit more errors and receive more malpractice lawsuits and government fines. So, what are some of these rights? Patients have the right to be listened to, to have their opinions valued, and to receive a prompt or reasonable response to questions. They have the right to be safe when seeking care, and the right to privacy regarding their records. These are but some of the rights you are taught in this training lesson.

It can be stressful seeking medical care, especially for an unknown or serious condition. That stress should not be increased by an unresponsive or uncaring physician. Utilize the information presented here and gain a fuller understanding of the rights you must protect as a healthcare worker and your rights as a patient.