Reply to at least two other student discussion with a reflection of their response,in each of your discussion.

  Word limit 200 words. Please make sure to provide only 1 reference (in APA, 7th ed. format) for your work.

Discusion # 1 : 

    The Patients’ Bill of Rights, established by the American Hospital Association, is a vital document that outlines the rights and expectations patients have when receiving healthcare services. It is a roadmap to guarantee that patients are afforded reverence, integrity, and competent care (Sheikhtaheri et al., 2016). Healthcare practitioners are pivotal in safeguarding and preserving these rights by implementing various essential measures.

Foremost, ensuring effective communication is vital in upholding patients’ rights. Healthcare professionals must offer patients comprehensive and easily understandable information about their diagnosis, available treatment options, and potential risks and benefits (El-Shimy et al., 2020). This empowers patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Additionally, active listening skills and empathy are vital in understanding and addressing patients’ concerns and needs. Healthcare professionals should encourage patients to ask questions and actively engage in their care, fostering partnership and shared decision-making.

Respecting patients’ autonomy is another vital aspect of upholding their rights. Healthcare professionals should honor patients’ entitlement to exercise autonomy in making choices about their medical care, which encompasses the right to decline or consent to treatment (Sheikhtaheri et al., 2016). They should provide information and support to help patients exercise their autonomy while ensuring that patients understand the consequences of their choices. Preserving confidentiality and privacy is of utmost importance in safeguarding patients’ rights (Sheikhtaheri et al., 2016). It is imperative that healthcare professionals strictly adhere to privacy policies and take measures to protect the personal health information of patients. They should only disclose information on a need-to-know basis and obtain appropriate consent for releasing medical records or information to third parties.

According to Kheili et al. (2022), healthcare professionals should strive to provide culturally sensitive and equitable patient care. This involves recognizing and respecting patients’ diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values. They should ensure that no patient is subjected to discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. Healthcare professionals should also be vigilant in identifying and addressing any potential violations of patients’ rights. They should be knowledgeable about the Patients’ Bill of Rights and work collaboratively with their colleagues and institutions to create and enforce policies that protect patients’ rights (Sheikhtaheri et al., 2016). Additionally, providing accessible channels for patients to voice their concerns or complaints and promptly addressing them demonstrates a commitment to patient advocacy and resolution.

References

El-Shimy, H. M., Mostafa, H. A. E., & Bioumey, M. H. (2020). Patient’s rights as perceived by nurses and patients. Egypt J Health Care, 11, 73-81.

Kheili, M. A. A., Mahmoudi, G., & Charati, J. Y. (2022). Exploring health‑care providers understanding and experiences of providing patient‑centered care in hospitalized patients based on patient’s bill of rights: A qualitative study. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, 9(1), 37-37.

Sheikhtaheri, A., Jabali, M. S., & Dehaghi, Z. H. (2016). Nurses’ knowledge and performance of the patients’ bill of rights. Nursing ethics, 23(8), 866-876.

Discussion # 2 :

 To ensure that patients receive the best treatment possible while keeping their autonomy and dignity, healthcare providers play a crucial role in upholding and defending patients’ rights. The American Hospital Association (AHA) offers medical professionals direction and tools to support patients’ rights effectively.

      Healthcare workers should prioritize promoting informed consent. This entails giving them specific details regarding their medical condition, available treatments, potential risks, and advantages. Patients can actively participate in their healthcare decisions by providing informed consent, protecting their autonomy and the right to make decisions about their care.

      Another critical factor is maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. Healthcare workers are required to carefully abide by privacy regulations and safeguard patients’ private health information. This entails protecting electronic health records, enforcing stringent access restrictions, and getting patients’ permission before sharing their data with outside parties.

      Professionals in the medical field should also guarantee excellent patient communication. This entails paying close attention while listening, explaining medical jargon in simple language, and encouraging patients to ask questions or express concerns. Healthcare practitioners may empower patients to actively participate in their care and make informed decisions by encouraging open and honest communication.

      Healthcare providers should prioritize protecting and fighting for their patient’s rights in the healthcare system, including assisting as patient advocates with navigating the complexity of the medical system by educating patients on their rights and resolving any issues that may arise (Halpern et al.).In 2019, to accomplish this objective, we may demand that we inform our clients of their lawful rights while also helping to submit complaints or appeals and connecting those who need it with vital support services.

      Keeping up-to-date on changing laws and regulations along with ethical standards is vital for healthcare practitioners, and pursuing continuing education and professional development can help them achieve this. Using the information provided by AHA’s Action Center and its advocacy tools empowers Healthcare Professionals to become advocates for patients’ rights both in their workplace and outside of it.

      Maintaining and protecting patients’ rights is a crucial responsibility for healthcare workers. To maintain patient autonomy and dignity while promoting informed consent and effective communication within the healthcare sector, it is essential to respect privacy and confidentiality and remain updated on professional development. Joint ventures like partnering with AHA may help advance these activities and improve patient well-being.

References

Action Center | AHA. (2023). American Hospital Association. https://www.aha.org/advocacy/action-center

Halpern, N. A., Tan, K. S., DeWitt, M., & Pastores, S. M. (2019). Intensivists in United States acute care hospitals. Critical care medicine, 47(4), 517. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8183575/