One of the tasks on the “to-do list” when admitting a patient onto hospice services is a discussion of patient rights. Patients, along with their family and caregivers, need to know what they’re entitled to when it comes to receiving end of life care.
Here are some of the rights that all hospice patients have:
1. The right to choose which hospice agency they use.
2. The right to choose their own physician – this can be their current physician or the hospice medical director.
3. The right to “elect”, or start hospice on the day they choose (after a physician determines the patient is eligible).
4. The right to “revocate” or come off of hospice – whether it’s for aggressive treatment or other personal reasons.
5. The right to transfer to another hospice agency – this can happen one in a certification (benefit) period and your hospice team should explain this to you.
6. The right to confidentiality – your health information should never be shared without your permission.
There are some other rights that might not seem as big, but they’re still important.
You have the right to have your reports of pain believed.
You have the right to respectful treatment by the hospice team – you, your pets, your home, and your caregivers.
You have the right to create the advance care planning documents that are allowed in your state.
You have the right to know when a hospice team member will be coming to your home.
The patient right that might be the most significant is this:
You (or your responsible party or Medical Power of Attorney Agent) have the right to make a complaint.
That’s right – if your care is not what you expected, or is inadequate – you can complain.
You should never have to worry about recrimination if you do file a complaint.
If you have a complaint about a team member, always start by notifying the administrator or director of the hospice agency. If your complaint isn’t handled the way you think it should be, you have the right to complain to your state and to the accrediting body for your particular agency.
(Hospice accrediting bodies include TJC, CHAP, and ACHC.)
The right to file a complaint is so important that your agency is required to tell you about it when hospice services are initiated. They even have to give you the phone numbers you can use to make a complaint.
So be your own advocate.
Know your rights.
Your hospice journey should be good.
Your life – and your death – matter.
Needing a speaker for your organization or conference? The hosts of The Heart of Hospice are available to speak on a variety of topics – self care, hospice 101/history, advance care planning, the art of listening, compassionate conversations, and dealing with personal grief as a hospice professionals. Just send us an email at host@theheartofhospice.com and we’ll send you a personal response.
No matter who you are,
Or where you are in your hospice journey,
You are the Heart of Hospice.