Nurses propose a ‘patients’ code’

Press, 15 April 1978, Page 21

Nurses propose a ‘patients’ code’

PA Wellington Patients should have the right to full information in laymen’s terms about their health or illness, says a patients’ code of rights and responsibilities adopted by the Nurses Association.

They should also have the right to refuse to undergo any test, examination or treatment unless it is required by law, and, if treatment is refused, patients should not be liable to be discharged from hospital, it says. The code, which sets out 17 rights and nine responsibilities, was accepted at the association's annual conference in Nelson late last week. It was drawn up to help hospital boards and other health bodies draft their own codes. Other major clauses in the code say that patients should also have the right to: Get. information in layman’s terms on the proposed course of treatment, any risks attendant on such treatment, the outcome, and prognosis. Clear, complete and accurate information about the nature and purpose of any proposed examination, test, treatment or procedure and whether this is for research, education or treatment purposes before being asked to consent. Confidentiality of all communications between health care staff and the patient. Participate in decisions regarding health care. Be treated with reasonable skill and care by professionally qualified staff. Know the identity and professional status of all persons providing health services. Full information about, and access to, free health care service whenever such facilities are available.

Prompt attention. Be treated with respect

and dignity and be afforded privacy during discussion and treatment. An interpreter when English is not understood. Observe cultural, ethnic and religious practices and customs if they can be reasonably accommodated. Wear whatever clothing is desired with consideration fo-r others and unless special clothing is required for specific examinations and treatment. Have reasonable contact with persons outside the hospital or institution by means of visitors of choice and by ready access to the telephone.

Have close friends or relatives stay 24 hours a day with children, terminally ill, and critically ill patients, provided in the case of the critically ill, it is not. medically otherwise indicated. Another clause, which said patients had the right to access to and interpretation of all information contained in their medical records, was to have been included in the code. However, the association- referred it to its national executive, which is

to consider how legal difficulties might be overcome — medical files are legally the property of doctors or institutions. The association decided that patients also had the following responsibilities.

To show consideration to other patients on noise, lighting, smoking, and the conduct of visitors. To respect other patients’ observations of religious, cultural and ethnic practices. To respect the privacy of other patients and to keep in confidence any information gained from them. To inform the appropriate people if unable to keep an appointment. To know and abide by the rules of the health care acility. To be frank and honest with health personnel about health, medications and treatments, previous illness, and the family history of illness. To ask for clarification or further explanation of anything not understood. To co-operate with treatment, agreed upon. To advise the appropriate authority of any complaint.