Clinician Rights and Responsibilities

As each and every patient have their rights and responsibilities towards the treatment they are seeking, in the same way every health care provider has his or her own rights and responsibilities, some of them are mentioned below

Clinician Rights #

The clinician has right to

• Be an active participant in the development and revision of the plan of treatment, including the provision of therapeutic or diagnostic orders.

• Be provided with timely information regarding his or her patient. Notification and contact will occur with, but will not be limited to, the following:

1. Changes in the patient’s condition
2. Changes in the patient’s psychosocial status
3. Changes in the patient’s home environment
4. Lack of achievement of goals within the defined time frame
5. Changes or lack of patient’s response to treatment
6. Changes needed regarding diagnoses, treatments, medications, precautions, limitations, etc.

• Have organization personnel available to respond to questions regarding patients. When the clinician is not available, another clinician familiar with the patient record is held responsible to answer questions.

• Information to assist in continuity of treatment, including ongoing updates, written summaries at least every 60 days, and phone consultation.

• Refer patients to specialty physicians and make appropriate referrals to other organizations or institutions.

• Confidentiality of information and communication to the physician by organization personnel.

• Participation in the consideration and resolution of ethical issues related to home health patients.

Clinician Responsibilities #

The clinician has responsibility to

• Be an active participant in the development and revision of the plan of treatment, including the provision of therapeutic or diagnostic orders.

• Provide the organization with timely information regarding his or her patient. Notification and contact should occur when there are changes of which the home health organization may not be aware, including, but not limited to:

1. Changes in the patient’s condition
2. Changes in the patient’s psychosocial status
3. Changes in the patient’s home environment
4. Lack of achievement of goals within the defined time frame
5. Changes or lack of patient response to care
6. Changes needed regarding diagnoses, treatment, medications, precautions, limitations, etc.

• Be available to respond to questions or quarries regarding the patient. When the primary physician is not available, another physician who is familiar with the patient should be designated to provide alternate coverage.

• Provide legible, complete, and accurate information including treatment orders for his or her patient.

• Designate the hospital to which the patient should be sent for alternate medical coverage and consultative referrals that relate to the patient’s care. In emergencies, the patient will be transported via ambulance to the nearest hospital.

• To see his or her patients at least annually for review of health condition.

• Sign and return therapeutic or diagnostic orders within the time frame specified in organization policy and in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

• Participate in the consideration and resolution of ethical issues related to home health patients.