Sec.19-13-D91. Patient's bill of rights and responsibilities

An agency shall have a written bill of rights and responsibilities governing agency services which shall be made available and explained to each patient and/or patient representative at the time of admission. Such explanation shall be documented in the patient's record. The Bill of Rights shall include but not be limited to:

(a) A description of available services, unit charges, and billing mechanisms; any changes in such must be given to the patient orally and in writing as soon as possible but no later than fifteen (15) working days from the date the agency becomes aware of a change;

(b) Policy on uncompensated care;

(c) Criteria for admission to service and discharge from service;

(d) Information in advance regarding the right to participate in the planning of the care to be furnished, the frequency of visits proposed and any changes in the care to be furnished, the name of the person supervising the patient's care and the manner in which that person may be contacted;

(e) Patient participation in the implementation of the plan of care;

(f) Right of the patient and/or patient representative to be fully informed of patient's health condition, unless contra-indicated by the patient's source of medical care in the clinical record;

(g) Right of the patient to have his or her property treated with respect;

(h) Explanation of confidential treatment of all patient information retained in the agency and the requirement for written consent for release of information to persons not otherwise authorized under law to receive it;

(i) Policy regarding patient access to the patient record;

(j) Explanation of grievance procedure and right to file grievance without discrimination or reprisal from agency regarding care provided or failed to be provided, or regarding the lack of respect for property by anyone providing agency services;

(k) Agency's responsibility to investigate complaints made by a patient, patient's family or guardian regarding care provided or that fails to be provided and lack of respect for the patient's property by anyone providing agency services. Agency complaint log shall include date, nature and resolution of the complaint;

(l) Procedure for registering complaints with the commissioner.

(Effective December 28, 1992)