For every healthcare organization, it is imperative to direct efforts to correct errors and complaints from a deficient service or a wrong treatment for patients. Hospital processes must guarantee respect for human rights, including recognition of their values, customs, culture, beliefs, and privacy.
Likewise, hospital visitors also have the right to feel free of physical aggression within the areas, pay special attention to vulnerable patients, such as babies or people with complex medical conditions, and comply with universal inclusion criteria that provide adequate areas for individuals with disabilities. Detecting and addressing these needs helps patients, family members, and healthcare staff feel more comfortable in the facility.
Regarding the rights, it is essential to mention that:
- The organization must support and promote patient participation in all processes.
- Patients should receive detailed information about their clinical care.
- The hospital must inform patients and their families about their rights and responsibilities, including refusing or suspending treatment.
- The patient's right to receive appropriate pain assessment and management must be ensured.
- In terminally ill patients, respectful and compassionate attention should be offered.
If the institution has automated processes, an alert must be maintained where any incident that violates the human rights of patients is recorded to find an effective and immediate solution while avoiding a lawsuit or labor conflict.
Working with quality, where the hospital is in an environment where clear action measures and contingency plans can guarantee peace of mind and that all patients are informed about their rights.
Informed consent
Within the complex framework of medical care, one of the fundamental pillars that guarantee the integrity and rights of the patient is informed consent. This legal and ethical document establishes clear and transparent communication, ensuring the patient fully understands the risks and benefits of a treatment or clinical procedure.
Through informed consent, the patient or their legal representative grants their voluntary and conscious approval to undergo a specific medical treatment, a surgical intervention, the use of certain medications, or any other situation that may affect their health. This process involves providing detailed information about the medical condition, available treatment options, possible risks and complications, as well as the alternatives and consequences of refusing the proposed solution.
One of the most important aspects is to ensure that the information provided is understandable and accessible, adapted to your level of education and understanding. Additionally, the patient must be able to ask questions and express concerns before making an informed decision.
Legislation and regulations related to this document vary by country and jurisdiction, but in general, they establish minimum standards to ensure that the process is ethical, legal, and respectful of the rights. Each hospital is responsible for complying with these regulations and ensuring that these consents are properly documented and filed within the patients' clinical records.
There are particular situations in which obtaining this authorization may be more complex, such as in the case of minors, people with cognitive disabilities, or unconscious individuals. In these cases, additional steps must be taken to ensure that the decision made is in the patient's best interest and is made by an authorized legal representative.
Respect for patients' rights, including the process of informed consent, is an essential component of modern medical care that promotes autonomy, dignity, and the guarantee of active information.
