MENELIK II MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE COLLEGE

Department of Midwifery First year students

professional ethics - Individual Assignment

Name ID No.
1. Yeshiwork menbere. MW/R/027/16

Submitted to : Mr. Merga Eticha

Submitted date : 24/01/2017 E.C
 Introduction

Patients' Bill of Rights is a document that outlines the rights of patients when receiving medical
care. It typically includes rights such as the right to receive information about their medical
condition, the right to consent to or refuse treatment, the right to privacy and confidentiality, and
the right to access their medical records.

Written and informed consent is a process in which a healthcare provider explains the details of a
proposed treatment or procedure to a patient, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives. The
patient then provides written consent indicating that they understand the information provided
and agree to move forward with the treatment. Informed consent ensures that patients are
actively involved in their healthcare decisions and have a full understanding of what to expect.
Patient Bill of Rights

The Patient Bill of Rights is a foundational document that outlines the rights and responsibilities
of patients within the healthcare system. It is designed to ensure that patients receive fair and
respectful treatment, have access to necessary information, and can actively participate in their
own care.
A patient's bill of rights is a set of rules that healthcare providers follow to make sure patients
are treated fairly and respectfully. These rules cover things like making sure patients have access
to care, keeping their personal information private, and explaining any charges for treatment.
Patients have the right to be safe and to give their permission before any treatment is given.
A more thorough explanation:
A patient's bill of rights is a set of guidelines that healthcare providers voluntarily adopt or
are mandated by law to follow. It outlines the rights of patients and covers various aspects of
healthcare, including access to care, patient dignity and confidentiality, personal safety,
consent to treatment, and explanation of charges.

component of patient bill right

1. Right to Information: Patients have the right to receive clear information about their diagnosis,
treatment options, and prognosis.

2. Right to Privacy: Patients are entitled to confidentiality regarding their medical records and
personal health information.

3. Right to Respect: Patients should be treated with dignity and respect by all healthcare staff.

4. Right to Participation: Patients can participate in decisions regarding their care and treatment
plans.

5. Right to Access Care: Patients have the right to receive timely and appropriate medical care.

6. Right to Second Opinions: Patients can seek second opinions regarding their diagnosis or
treatment.
7. Right to Pain Management: Patients have the right to receive appropriate pain management
and treatment.

8. Right to Informed Consent: Patients must give informed consent before any procedure or
treatment is performed.

9. Right to Grievance Resolution: Patients can voice complaints and expect a prompt response
from healthcare providers.

10. Right to Access Records: Patients have the right to access their medical records and request
corrections if necessary.

11. Right to Non-Discrimination: Patients should receive care regardless of race, gender, age,
sexual orientation, or disability.

12. Right to Advance Directives: Patients can express their wishes regarding end-of-life care
through advance directives.

13. Right to Participate in Research: Patients can choose whether or not to participate in medical
research studies.

14. Right to Choose Providers: Patients have the right to select their healthcare providers and
facilities.

15. Right to Education: Patients should receive education about their health conditions and
treatments to make informed decisions.

These rights empower patients, promote ethical care, and enhance the patient-provider
relationship.

Important of the Patient Bill of Rights

1. Empowerment of Patients
- Informed Decision-Making: Patients can make educated choices about their care,
understanding their rights and options.
- Advocacy: Encourages patients to advocate for themselves and voice concerns about their
treatment.
2. Standardization of Care
- Consistency: Establishes a common set of rights that healthcare providers must adhere to,
promoting uniformity across different facilities and practices.
- Quality Assurance: Helps ensure that patients receive a minimum standard of care.

3. Enhancement of Communication
- Clear Expectations: Facilitates open communication between patients and healthcare
providers regarding treatment plans, rights, and responsibilities.
- Feedback Mechanism: Encourages patients to share feedback, which can improve healthcare
services.

4. Protection of Privacy
- Confidentiality Assurance: Reinforces the importance of safeguarding patient information,
fostering trust in the healthcare system.
- Legal Compliance: Helps healthcare providers comply with regulations regarding patient
privacy and data protection.

5. Promotion of Respect and Dignity

- Cultural Sensitivity: Ensures that care is delivered respectfully, considering patients' diverse
backgrounds and preferences.
- Patient-Centered Care: Promotes an environment where patients feel valued and respected.

6. Facilitation of Grievance Processes

- Complaint Resolution: Provides a framework for patients to voice complaints or concerns,
leading to resolution and improvement in care quality.
- Accountability: Holds healthcare providers accountable for adhering to ethical standards and
patient rights.

7. Encouragement of Ethical Practices

- Guiding Principles: Establishes ethical guidelines for healthcare providers, ensuring they
prioritize patient welfare and autonomy.
- Professional Standards: Supports the development of professional standards within healthcare
settings.

Consent

Consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare that ensures patients have the autonomy to
make informed decisions about their treatment. It encompasses two main types: informed
consent and written consent. Here’s a detailed look at both:

Consent is about communication and respect.

Consent is agreement or permission expressed through affirmative, voluntary words or actions
that are mutually understandable to all parties involved, to engage in a specific sexual act at a
specific time:
Consent can be withdrawn at any time, as long as it is clearly communicated.
Consent cannot be coerced or compelled by force, threat, deception or intimidation.
Consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated, as defined below.

Written Consent

Definition:

Written consent refers to obtaining a patient’s agreement to a medical procedure or treatment in

written form. It often accompanies informed consent but serves as a formal record.

Importance:

1. Legal Protection:

- Written consent provides legal documentation that the patient was informed and agreed to
the treatment, protecting both the patient and healthcare provider in case of disputes.

2. Clarity and Record-Keeping:

- A signed document ensures clarity about what the patient has consented to and serves as a
part of the medical record.

3. Standard Practice:

- Many healthcare institutions require written consent for specific procedures, especially those
that are invasive or carry significant risks (e.g., surgeries, clinical trials).

Features of Written Consent

1. Documentation:

- It provides a tangible record of the patient's consent, which can be referenced in case of
disputes or legal issues.

2. Clarity:

- The document typically outlines the details of the procedure, including what it entails,
potential risks, benefits, and any alternative options.
3. Patient Understanding:

- Before signing, patients should have the opportunity to ask questions and ensure they
understand the information presented.

4. Legal Protection:

- Written consent protects both the patient and healthcare provider legally by demonstrating
that informed consent was obtained.

5. Specificity:

- It often includes specific language relevant to the procedure or treatment being performed,
ensuring that the patient consents to exactly what is being proposed.

When is Written Consent Required?

- Invasive Procedures: Surgeries or interventions that pose significant risks typically require
written consent.

- Clinical Trials: Participation in research studies often necessitates detailed written consent.

- High-Risk Treatments: Procedures with substantial potential for complications may also require
this form of consent.

Informed consent

Informed consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare and research that ensures patients or
participants are fully aware of and understand the nature of a medical procedure, treatment, or
research study before agreeing to it. It involves providing comprehensive information about the
intervention and obtaining voluntary agreement from the individual.

Elements of Informed Consent

1. Disclosure of Information:

- Patients must be provided with clear, relevant information about the procedure or treatment,
including its purpose, potential risks and benefits, and any alternatives available.
2. Comprehension:

- Patients should understand the information presented to them. This may involve using plain
language and checking for understanding, especially if the patient has language barriers or
cognitive impairments.

3. Voluntariness:

- The decision to consent must be made freely, without coercion or undue pressure from
healthcare providers or family members.

4. Competence:

- The individual giving consent must have the capacity to make informed decisions, which
means they should be mentally competent and of legal age (or have appropriate guardianship).

5. Consent:

- After understanding the information provided, the patient gives their explicit agreement,
which can be verbal or written, depending on the situation and legal requirements.

Importance of Informed Consent

- Patient Autonomy: It respects the right of patients to make informed choices about their own
bodies and health.

- Trust in Healthcare: It fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers by promoting
transparency.

- Legal Protection: It protects both patients and providers by documenting that consent was
obtained after adequate information was provided.

Differences Between Informed and Written Consent

- Nature: Informed consent is a process involving communication, while written consent is a

formal document.

- Focus: Informed consent emphasizes understanding and voluntary agreement; written consent
emphasizes documentation and legal protection.

- Application: Informed consent applies to all medical decisions, while written consent is typically
required for certain procedures.
Written consent: is a formal document that indicates a patient’s agreement to undergo a specific
medical procedure or treatment after being informed about the associated risks, benefits, and
alternatives. It serves as a legal record that the patient has been adequately informed and has
voluntarily agreed to the proposed intervention.

Summary

Patients' Bill of Rights is a document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of people
receiving medical care. It typically includes rights such as the right to receive information about
their treatment, the right to privacy and confidentiality, the right to refuse treatment, and the
right to have access to their medical records.

A written informed consent is a legal document signed by a patient prior to a medical procedure
or treatment. It indicates that the patient has been informed of the risks, benefits, and
alternatives to the proposed treatment, and they have voluntarily agreed to undergo the
procedure. Written informed consent ensures that patients understand the treatment they are
about to receive and gives them the opportunity to ask questions before making a decision.