Patient Rights and Responsibilities
(Adapted for clinical setting)

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees will respect and support your rights as a patient.
• We are pleased you have selected us to provide your health care.
• We plan to make your visit or stay as pleasant for you as possible.
• Your basic rights and responsibilities as an outpatient are listed below. A complete listing of these rights and responsibilities is available upon request from our clinic staff.
  

I. Respect and Nondiscrimination

• You will be treated with dignity, compassion and respect as an individual.
• Your privacy will be protected.
• You have the right to request a same-sex chaperone during any examination.
• You will receive care in a safe environment.
• We will seek to honor your personal and religious values.
• Treatment will respect your personal freedoms.
• In order to provide a safe treatment environment for all patients and staff, you are asked to respect other patients and staff and to follow the facility’s rules. Avoid unsafe acts that place others at risk for accidents or injuries. Please immediately report any condition you believe to be unsafe.
  

II. Information Disclosure and Confidentiality

• You will be given information about the health benefits that you can receive. The information will be provided in a way you can understand.
• You will receive information about the costs of your care, if any, before you are treated. You are responsible for paying your portion of the costs associated with your care.
• Your medical record will be kept confidential. Information about you will not be released without your consent unless authorized by law (i.e., State public health reporting). You have the right to information in your medical record and may request a copy of your records. This will be provided except in rare situations where your VA physician feels the information will be harmful to you. In that case, you have the right to have this discussed with you by your VA provider.
• You will be informed of all outcomes of care, including any injuries caused by your care. You will be informed about how to request compensation for injuries.
  

III. Participation in Treatment Decisions

• You, and any persons you choose, will be involved in all decisions about your care. You will be given information you can understand about the benefits and risks of treatment. You will be given other options.
• You can agree to or refuse treatment. Refusing treatment will not affect your rights to future care. However, you have the responsibility to understand the possible results to your health.
• If you believe you cannot follow the treatment plan, you have a responsibility to notify your treatment team.
• You will be given in writing the name and professional title of the provider in charge of your care. As a partner in the healthcare process, you have the right to be involved in choosing your provider.
• You will be educated about your role and responsibilities as a patient. This includes your participation in decision-making and care at the end of life.
• Tell your provider about your current condition, medicines (including over the counter and herbals), and medical history. Share any other information that affects your health.
• You should ask questions when you don’t understand something about your care. This will help to provide you the best care possible.
• You have the right to have your pain assessed and to receive treatment to manage your pain. You and your treatment team will develop a pain management plan together. You are expected to help the treatment team by telling them if you have pain and if the treatment is working.
• You have the right to choose whether or not you will participate in any research project. Any research will be clearly identified. Potential risks of the research will be identified and there will be no pressure on you to participate.
• You will be included in resolving any ethical issues about your care. You may consult with the Medical Center’s Ethics Committee and/or other staff knowledgeable about healthcare ethics.
• If you or the Medical Center believe that you have been neglected, abused or exploited, you will receive help.
  
  IV. Complaints
  You are encouraged and expected to seek help from your treatment team and/or a patient advocate if you have problems or complaints. You will be given understandable information about the complaint process available to you. You may complain verbally or in writing, without fear of retaliation.