RIGHTS:

a) Receive clear, concise, timely information about your rights and duties, as well as the proper way to exercise them.

b) Be informed of the name, last names, professional degree and position occupied by the health staff providing you with care.

c) Have all the needed information and based on this either give or deny your authorization to receive a specific procedure or medical treatment.

d) Receive, without any distinction whatsoever, dignified treatment: respect, consideration and courteousness.

e) Receive medical care with due diligence and efficiency.

f) Be attended without delay in emergency situations.

g) Be attended punctually at the established time of the appointment except in justifiable cases of unforeseeable events or force majeure.

h) Refuse to be examined or to be administered treatment, except in exceptional cases or emergencies, provided for in other laws, where public health, the common good and third party rights prevail.  A written confirmation must exist in case of refusal.

i) Sign an informed consent for surgery, anesthesia or other procedure and a compliance commitment.  If the patient is unconscious, cannot express his or her will or is underage, a legal representative must sign in their stead.

j) Accept or reject proposals to participate in clinical research studies.

k) Have access to his or her clinical file and to receiving a copy of the same.  He or she may authorize third parties by giving them the respective legal authorization.

l) Receive care in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

m) Demand respect for the confidential nature of his or her clinical history and all information concerning his or her illness except when, by special law, notification must be made to the health authorities.
n) Freely express in writing his or her desire to donate organs for therapeutic purposes once he or she has died.

o) Submit claims whenever his or her rights have been infringed.

p) Make use of his or her personal effects during his or her stay, subject to hospital rules and when other patients’ rights are not infringed.

q) Receive a detailed statement of account with an explanation of all expenses incurred in his or her treatment.

r) Receive visits by family members or friends if he or she so wishes, as long as his or her health condition so permits and within the established hours.

DUTIES:

a) Provide the most complete information possible on his or her state of health, previous illnesses, hospitalization stays, medications or other conditions concerning his or her health.

b) Participate in treatment decisions and in following instructions on his or her medical care plan.

c) Understand and comprehend what may happen if he or she refuses to follow health care instructions.

d) Speak to his or her doctor or other health specialist if he or she wishes to change doctors, specialists or hospitals.

e) Ask the doctor or health specialist when he or she does not understand information or instructions.

f) Show respect and consideration to the staff providing him or her with care.

g) Follow internal rules concerning smoking, noise and visitor regulations.

h) Understand that the health services he or she receives must be paid for, and be willing to follow the established account payment procedures.

i) Communicate as soon as possible any difficulties with paying for the services received.