Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

Patients have the right to:

Safety and Respect

• A safe environment.
• Be treated in a considerate and respectful manner.
• Know the full name and role of those involved in their care.

Privacy and Confidentiality

• Have their personal health information treated in confidence, and used and disclosed respecting their wishes
• Consent or refuse the collection, use and disclosure of their personal health information (PHI)
• Access their Personal Health Information (PHI), either to view or receive a copy following the approved procedure
• Request changes if they feel their information is inaccurate or incomplete
• Know who has accessed/used their PHI
• Request an audit of who has accessed their PHI
• Know to whom their PHI has been disclosed
• Challenge the hospital’s compliance with Privacy laws.

Care and Treatment

• Receive relevant information about their illness, including diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post-discharge care, communicated in a way that they understand.
• Receive all information necessary to give informed consent to proposed treatment, including known risks, alternatives and cost implications, if any.
• Refuse treatment and be informed of the health risks of their decision.
• Participate actively in their care planning and in decision-making related to care.
• Receive complete information about any research project in which they are asked to participate with the option to refuse to participate without it affecting care.
• Be informed if unintended, unexpected and preventable events that result in harm occur during care.
• Provide the hospital with an Advance Care Directive.

Access to the Complaints Resolution Process

• Ask questions and express concerns about hospital health care and services, without fear of reprisal.
• Be provided with information about and assistance with accessing the complaints resolution process at LHSC.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients are responsible for:

Active Partnering in Care

• Providing accurate information about past illnesses, allergic reactions to medication or food, current health and family health history
• Bringing in home medications when admitted to hospital, including complementary or alternative medications
• Participating with the health care team in treatment and rehabilitation
• Asking questions to clarify information
• Sharing any concerns about care with the health care team
• Obtaining information needed for care after discharge from hospital
• Recognizing the risks and consequences of refusing treatment and/or leaving the hospital against medical advice

Courtesy and Respect

• Treating others in the hospital with consideration and respect
• Observing all applicable hospital rules and regulations

Using Health Care Resources Wisely

• Advising the hospital as early as possible and at least 24 hours in advance if unable to keep an appointment
• Arranging for discharge when the attending physician decides discharge is appropriate

Personal Property and Financial Obligations

• All financial obligations incurred in care
• The safekeeping of personal property, valuables and patients’ own medications while in hospital