Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Sets out the rights and responsibilities of every patient of the Agency, how and when they are explained and given in writing, who may exercise them for a patient, and how staff protect them day to day. 28 Pa. Code Chapter 601 has no patient-rights section, so the Agency applies 42 CFR §484.50 to every patient as its own standard; the federal rule is legally binding if the Agency is Medicare-certified. Pennsylvania confidentiality, nondiscrimination, advance directive and protective services laws apply to every patient in all cases.
About this policy
- Policy number
- PA-HH-PR-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 42 CFR §484.50
- Library
- Pennsylvania home health · 56 policies
- Category
- Client rights
- Sections
- 20
In short
- Give and explain the rights notice (Form PA-HH-PR-01-A) at the first visit, before any hands-on care, and get Form PA-HH-PR-01-B signed.
- If the patient chose a representative who was not there, the office sends them the notice within 4 business days.
- Respect the patient and their home and belongings at every visit; ask before you touch, move or treat.
- Report any sign of abuse, neglect, exploitation or an injury nobody can explain immediately to your supervisor and to protective services (1-800-490-8505).
- Pass on every complaint the same day. Patients can also call the Department of Health at 1-800-254-5164; no one is ever punished for complaining.
What's inside
20 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (42 CFR §484.50)
- 5. What the Patient Receives Before Care Begins
- 6. Rights of Every Patient
- 7. Local Contacts Printed on the Notice
- 8. Patient Responsibilities
- 9. Explaining Rights and Confirming Understanding
- 10. Representatives and the Exercise of Rights
- 11. Protecting Rights in Daily Practice
- 12. Complaints, the Department Hotline, and Outside Help
- 13. Responsibilities
- 14. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 15. Staff Training
- 16. References
- 17. Related Policies and Forms
- 18. Approval
- 19. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Show me how a patient is told of their rights. When during the first visit is this done, and how do you prove it?
- How do you give the rights notice to a patient who does not read English, or who is blind?
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