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Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Scales of justice

As transplant and dialysis patients, we are consumers in a complex and costly health care system. Often we face problems in integrating our lives with the requirements of our medical treatment.

The Renal Network of the Upper Midwest is an organization of medical professionals and consumers that is mandated by the federal government to help coordinate the delivery of dialysis and transplant services in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

As part of this mandate, the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest has adopted a Renal Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. These are basic principles that all dialysis and transplant programs should follow in dealing with the needs of patients. Most of these principles are already guaranteed either by state and federal law or long-established principles of medical ethics.

We urge you to read this bill of rights and responsibilities thoroughly. If you have any questions concerning your rights as a consumer, you should discuss them with your medical team. We believe direct communication is one of the most important components of quality health care.

Patient Rights

Every renal patient should be guaranteed competent, high quality care and treatment given with respect and dignity. It is our belief that the informed renal patient is better equipped to cope with the stresses and decisions that may arise during his/her chosen therapy.

  • Patients have a right to be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of their individuality and personal needs, including the need for privacy in treatment.
  • Patients have a right to become fully informed of all forms of kidney disease treatment available.
  • Patients have a right to participate in the decision as to the form of treatment they receive.
  • Patients should be able to change their form of treatment and their treatment facility.
  • Patients should be fully informed concerning their suitability as candidates for renal transplant and/or home dialysis.
  • Patients should be informed of their access to psychological, social work, dietary, vocational rehabilitation and other counseling services.
  • Patients should be informed about the reason for tests they are advised to take and provided clear explanation of the results.
  • Patients should be informed about the side effects or complications of any medications prescribed.
  • Patients should be informed, in specific terms, what to do in case of medical emergency.
  • Patients should be informed of the process for handling grievances.
  • Patient grievances may be addressed to facility staff, administration, the Renal Network, and agencies or regulatory bodies with jurisdiction over the facility, through any representative of the patient's choice, without restraint or interference and without fear of discrimination or reprisal.
  • Patients with communication problems have the right to appropriate assistance.
  • Patients should be fully informed regarding any research or educational programs in which they are involved and the right to refuse participation without prejudice to their care.
  • Patients have the right to seek additional medical opinions without prejudice to present care.
  • Patients have the right to equal consideration of treatment without regard to age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic origin.
  • Patients have a right to have their medical records maintained in a confidential manner.
  • Patients have a right to be informed of treatment related charges including any charges for services not covered under Medicare.

Patient Responsibilities

In order to make your treatment effective and improve the quality of your life, you and your family should take some specific responsibilities in the day-to-day management of your care. To improve your care:

  • Learn all you can about your disease, its treatment, treatment options, and your rights and responsibilities as a renal patient.
  • Recognize what an emergency is and what actions must be taken in emergency situations.
  • Provide a complete and accurate medical history to the professional team supervising your care.
  • Let a member of your professional team know if you do not understand information about your care and treatment.
  • Tell a member of your professional care team if there is a sudden change in your condition.
  • Obtain and take the medications prescribed for you or discuss with the professional care team why you are unable to do so.
  • Follow your diet or request further instructions if you do not understand or are unable to follow your diet.
  • Make every effort to arrive for your scheduled dialysis treatments on time and inform the dialysis unit if you are unable to come.
  • Consider the needs of other patients whom you encounter and understand that the professional team has a responsibility for all of the patients under their care.
  • Tell a member of your professional care team if you are diagnosed with a communicable disease.
  • Inform a member of your professional care team if you plan to be away on vacation and will miss regularly scheduled dialysis treatment(s).

Approved by the Consumer Committee on 8/5/88; Approved by the Executive Committee on 8/26/88.