The Patient’s Bill of Rights was first adopted by the American Hospital Association in 1973 and it was revised in October 1992. Patient’s Bill of Rights was adapted to grant patients control over their own bodies when they are ill.
Among other rights the patient’s bill of rights,
- Guarantee the rights to be informed of his/her illness, rights for confidentiality, fair treatment and the power for self-determination. Patients have the rights to participate in the plan of care.
- Patients have the right to know which physician or practitioner is primarily responsible for his or her care. A patient has the right to know the names and the jobs of his or her caregivers.
- Patients have the rights to refuse medical treatment even if it is recommended by their physician(s).
Phlebotomy and specimen collection may be a routine procedure. But, it is an invasive procedure and it could lead to non-reversible complications and disability.
An invasive procedure means, an instrument is introduced through the skin, mucous membranes, and the connective tissue are incised.
Performing an invasive procedures without a patient’s or legal guardian’s consent could be considered as an assault and battery.
- Remember, a patient has the rights to refuse the treatment. If a patient refuses you to draw blood, contact the ordering practitioner or the clinician in charge of the patient. If you are working at a hospital and the patient has questions that you are not able to answer or the patient refuses to draw the blood, inform the primary care nurse.
- If you are in a physician’s office, and the ordering physician is in the office, contact the physician or the provider who ordered the test.
Patients have the rights to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services.
- Prior to the procedure, introduce yourself with your full name and what you are about to do.
- Inform the patient about the purpose and process of sampling.
- Answer the patient’s question such as what tests are ordered, and which physician ordered it.
