Right to information

Every patient has a right to adequate relevant information about the nature,cause of illness, provisional / confirmed diagnosis, proposed investigations and management, and possible complications To be explained at their level of understanding in language known to them.

Right to records and reports

Every patient or his caregiver has the right to access originals / copies of case papers, indoor patient records, investigation reports (during period of admission, preferably within 24 hours and after discharge, within 72 hours). This may be made available wherever applicable after paying appropriate fees for photocopying or allowed to be photocopied by patients at their cost.

Right to Emergency Medical Care

As per Supreme Court, all hospitals both in the government and in the private sector are duty bound to provide basic Emergency Medical Care, and injured persons have a right to get Emergency Medical care.

Right to informed consent

Every patient has a right that informed consent must be sought prior to any potentially hazardous test/treatment (e.g. invasive investigation / surgery /chemotherapy) which carries certain risks.It is the duty of the hospital management to ensure that all concerned doctors are properly instructed to seek informed consent, that an appropriate policy is adopted and that consent forms with protocol for seeking informed consent are provided for patients in an obligatory manner.

Right to confidentiality, human dignity and privacy

All patients have a right to privacy, and doctors have a duty to hold information about their health condition and treatment plan in strict confidentiality, unless it is essential in specific circumstances to communicate such information in the interest of protecting other or due to public health considerations.

1) MCI Code of Ethics sections 2.2, 7.14 and 7.17.7 human dignity and privacy.

2) Annexure 8 of standards for Hospital level 1 by National Clinical Establishments Council set up as per Clinical Establishment Act 2010.

Right to second opinion

Every patient has the right to seek second opinion from an appropriate clinician of patients’ / caregivers’ choice. The hospital management has a duty to respect the patient’s right to second opinion, and should provide to the patients caregivers all necessary records and information required for seeking such opinion without any extra cost or delay.

Right to transparency in rates, and care according to prescribed rates wherever relevant.

Every patient and their caregivers have a right to information on the rates to be charged by the hospital for each type of service provided and facilities available.They have a right to receive an itemized detailed bill at the time of payment.