The Veterans Administration is committed to providing high quality medical care
for its patients. It is also committed to providing this care in a climate in
which the human needs and concerns of the patient are met, and in which
individual interests are protected. This climate must be based on respect for
the dignity of the patient as an individual, and on care which is provided in a
courteous, concerned and compassionate manner. In order to achieve these goals,
the dedication of each employee to the principles outlined in this document is
essential. It is only through the willing assumption of this responsibility on
the part of the staff that this healthcare facility will be able to provide the
kind of patient care to which it is committed. To this end, this Code of Patient
Concern reaffirms the commitment of the Veterans Administration.
1. Each patient must be accorded dignity as an individual and treated
with
compassion and respect.
2. Each patient seeking advice or assistance will be helped in a prompt,
courteous responsive manner.
3. Every effort should be made to make the patient feel that all
employees care about him / her as an individual.
4. In all cases, the needs and feelings of the patient and family will be
primary
consideration.
5. Each employee in contact with patients and their family, is
responsible for
creating and fostering an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and trust.
6. The physician
responsible for the care of the patient, or a designated
employee will provide the patient with information concerning
diagnosis,
treatment, and prognosis in terms the patient can reasonably be
expected to
understand. When it is not medically advisable or feasible to give
such
information to the patient, the information should be made available
to the
next-of kin, or other person designated by the patient upon
acceptance for
care except when existing law does not permit the release of
information
without written consent of the patient.
7. The physician responsible for the care of the patient, or a designated
employee, will make certain that the patient is aware of the person
who is
responsible for coordinating the patient's care.
8. The physician will, prior to the initiation of any procedure with a
recognized
element of risk, provide the patient with sufficient information for
the patient to
form the basis of a reasonable request for such procedure. Except in
emergencies such information should include the specific procedure
and/or
treatment, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable
duration
of incapacitation. Where medically significant alternatives for care
and
treatment exist, or when the patient requests information concerning
medical
alternatives, this information will be provided. The patient also
will be told the
name of the person responsible for the procedure and/or treatment. In
the
case of a patient that is considered to be mentally incapable of
making a
rational decision and request for a procedure, the sponsor or legal
guardian
will be provided with significant information to form a basis of a
reasonable
request for such procedure to be performed on the patient.
9. The patient may elect to refuse treatment. In this event, the patient
must be
informed of the medical consequences of this action. In the case of a
patient
who is mentally incapable of making a rational decision, approval
will be
obtained from the guardian, next-of kin, or other person legally
entitled to give
such approval.
10. The privacy of the
patient, including matters concerning the patient's own
medical care program, will be respected. Case discussion,
consultation,
examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted
discreetly.
11. All records and communications pertaining to the care of the patient
must
be treated as confidential.
12. The healthcare facility, within its capacity, will be responsive to the
request
of the patient for service, as determined to be medically appropriate.
13. In the event any investigative (Research) procedures are contemplated
involving a patient, the patient will be fully advised and informed
consent
secured. The patient will not be included in the investigative
procedures if
such informed consent is not given. Any exception to the rule must be
submitted to review by an approved mechanism which clearly provides
protection of the patient's interests (i.e., Ethical Review
Committee). No
attempt will be made to influence the patient to give consent if
he/she is
reluctant to do so. In the case of patient that are considered
mentally
incapable of executing an informed consent, approval will be obtained
from
the guardian, next-of kin, or other person legally entitled to give
consent.
14. The patient will be provided continuity of care within the applicable
laws and
policies which govern the Veterans Administration and within the
resources
available. The patient's physician, or a designated employee, will
provide
appropriate guidance and recommendations for further medical care to
the
patient who is being discharged from the Veteran Administration
medical care
program.
15. In the hospital
setting, the physician responsible for the care of the patient,
or the designated employee, will insure that discharge planning is
initiated
early in the period of hospitalization. The patient will be assisted,
where
necessary, in making appropriate plans for follow-up medical care,
rehabilitation, and living arrangements after the episode of
hospitalization.
16. The patient will be provided with this healthcare facility rules and
guidelines
which apply to his/her responsibility as a patient.
17. It is important that each employee recognize that the veteran patient
has, in
effect, pre-paid health care coverage by virtue of service in the Armed
Forces
of this country, and, has fully earned the right to medical care.
18. All of the above concerns are equally applicable to veterans placed in
Personal Care Homes and Community Nursing Homes under VA contract.
The VA, non-VA staff and sponsors providing patient care in the
community
setting are expected to willingly assume responsibility for carrying
out all
elements of the Code of Patient Concern.
No set of guidelines alone will insure that the patient receives the kind of
care and treatment that the Veterans Administration is committed to give. It is
imperative, therefore, that each employee be concerned about each patient as a
human being, and carry out the spirit and intent of this Code of Patient
Concern.