Your rights as a hospital patient

If you’ve fallen ill and can’t shake it off yourself, this is generally when you need the help of a doctor. In some cases, the care you need might be a bit more intense and you may end up in hospital.

In any case, you expect medical staff to try their best to improve your condition. In fact, this is a legal right that you have access to. The American Medical Association has an extensive list of patient rights that all doctors must adhere to. What are your rights as a hospital patient?

The right to dignity

Doctors owe you a legal duty of care. This means that you must be treated with dignity and respect at all times. They must assess your condition, provide a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan within a suitable time frame. A delayed diagnosis could result in you not receiving the treatment necessary to save your life.

Doctors need to work as efficiently as possible, but this doesn’t mean they should rush and make mistakes as a result. It’s equally as important to come up with an accurate diagnosis. If you’re diagnosed with the wrong condition, or something is missed, then your health could deteriorate and your life might even be placed at risk.

You have options

If you’re unhappy with the level of care being provided, you have a right to change your doctor or ask for a second opinion. If your medical team has been negligent and you have suffered as a result, then you should be able to hold them to account. Seeking guidance from someone with legal knowledge in this area will benefit you greatly.