Patient Guide

Right to Medical Care of Good Quality

Every person has the right to be cared for by a physician whom he/she knows is free to make clinical and ethical judgements without any outside interference, in accordance with his/her best interests, and in accordance with universally approved medical principles and specific medical society guidelines. The physician is ultimately responsible for delivery of quality medical services.

Right to Freedom of Choice

Every person has the right to choose his/her physician (consistent with the by laws, policies and procedures of Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Pinas) and the right to ask for the opinions of another physician on any phase of the care without fear of compromise of the care.

Right to Self-determination

Every person has the right to make free decisions regarding himself/herself. A mentally competent adult patient as the right to give or withhold consent to any diagnostic and/or treatment procedure or therapy. The patient has the right to the information necessary to make decisions regarding care plan. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in research or teaching of nursing and/or medicine.

Right to Information

The patient has the right to receive information about himself/herself. Exceptionally, information may be withheld from the patient when the information would create a serious hazard to his/her life or health. The patient has the right not to be informed on his/her explicit request unless required for the protection of another person’s life. The patient has the right to choose who, if anyone should be informed on his/her behalf.

Right to Confidentiality

All identifiable information about a patient’s health status, medical condition, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment and all other information of a personal kind must be kept confidential, even after death. Exceptionally, descendants may have a right of access to information that would inform them of their health risks. Confidential information may be disclosed only upon patient’s explicit consent or if expressly provided for in the law.

Right to Health Education

Every person has the right to health education that will assist in making informed choices about personal health and about the available health services.

Right to Dignity

The patient’s dignity and right to privacy shall be respected at all times in medical care and teaching, and consistent with his/her culture and values. He/she is entitled to relief of his/her own suffering according to the current state of knowledge. He/she is entitled to humane minimal care and to be provided with all available assistance in ensuring dying as dignified and comfortable process.

Right to Religious Assistance

The patient has the right to receive (or decline) spiritual and moral comfort including counsel of a minister of his/her chosen religion.

Right of Unconscious Patient

If the patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to express his/her will, informed consent must be obtained whenever possible from a legally entitled representative. If a legally entitled representative is not available, and a medical intervention is urgently needed, consent of the patient may be presumed, unless it is obvious and beyond doubt on the basis of the patient’s previous firm expression or conviction that he/she would refuse consent for all cases, a physician always strive to save the life of a patient unless a prior explicit written document states otherwise (Do Not Resuscitate).

Rights of Legally Incompetent Patient

If a patient is a minor or otherwise legally incompetent, the consent of a legally entitled representative is required. Nevertheless the patient must be involved in the decision making to the fullest extent allowed by his/her capacity or circumstance. If a legally incompetent patient can make rational choices, decisions must be respected and he/she has the right to forbid disclosure of information to his/her legally notified representative. If the patient’s legally entitled representative (a person authorized by the patient), forbids treatment which is in the opinion of the physician in the patient’s best interest, the physicians should challenge this decision before the proper forum. In case of emergency, the physician will act in the patient’s best interest.

PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide complete and accurate information about your health, including present condition, past illnesses hospitalizations, medications, natural products and vitamins and any other matters that pertain to your health.

Provide complete and accurate information including your full name, address, home telephone number, date of birth, insurance carrier, and employer, when it is necessary.

Provide your doctor or the hospital with a copy of your Advance Directive if you have one and want it to apply during confinement.

Ask questions when you do not understand what your doctor or other members of your health care team tell you about diagnosis or treatment. You should inform your doctor if you anticipate problems in following prescribed treatment and you are considering alternative therapies (may interfere or interact with care).

Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management plan. You should tell your doctor or nurse about your worries on taking pain medication.

Leave valuables at home and bring only items necessary during your hospital stay.

Abide by all hospital rules and regulations.

• Comply with the NO SMOKING policy.
• Follow the Visiting Hours.
• Be considerate of noise levels and other behaviors that might compromise the comfort, privacy, and safety of other patients.
• Remember that weapons are prohibited inside hospital premises.
• Treat hospital staff, other patients, and visitors with courtesy and respect.
• Provide complete and accurate information for insurance claims and work with the hospital’s Credit and Collection staff to ensure settlement of hospital bills.

Know your health insurance coverage and related policies concerning required pre-approvals, covered services, admissions, and the hospital and doctors covered by your insurance provider.

Pay your hospital and physician’s bills in a timely manner. Ask questions from your insurance company or the hospital’s Billing Services if there is a financial issue that you do not understand.