Module 2: Patient or Resident Rights

Section 1: Define Key Terminology

• Review Terms: Familiarize with terms listed in the terminology section.
• Spell and Pronounce: Ensure accurate spelling and pronunciation of terms.
• Context Usage: Use terms correctly in their proper context.

Section 2: Purpose of a Long-Term Care Facility

• Physical Care: Provide necessary physical care.
• Special Needs: Focused care for patients/residents with special needs.
• Team Approach: Collaborative care and services approach.
• Preventive Care: Prevent illness, injury, and loss of function.
• Promote Recovery: Enhance recovery and health, offering a facility that serves as both care center and residence.
• Maximum Potential: Assist in reaching maximum physical and mental potential.

Section 3: Nurse Assistant's Role in Maintaining Patient or Resident Rights

• Familiarity with Regulations: Understand federal and state regulations regarding patient rights.
• Federal Regulations: Protected by federal regulations for long-term care facilities.
  • 42 CFR Resident Rights 483.10: Residents have equal rights as all U.S. citizens.
  • Freedom from Interference: Right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.

Key Rights:

• Quality of Life: Right to best care, dignity, choice, and independence.
• Wellness: Maintain a high level of wellness; health should not decline due to facility's care.
• Informed: Right to be fully informed about rights and services.
  • Informed Consent: Understand and direct personal healthcare decisions.
• Choices: Right to make independent choices in care, treatments, and personal decisions.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: Right to privacy and confidentiality in communications and medical information.
• Dignity and Respect: Treated with dignity, free from abuse.
• Security of Possessions: Personal possessions must be safe.
• Right to Complain: Right to complain without fear.
• Participation in Care: Ability to participate in their own care.
• Admission, Transfer, and Discharge: Rights concerning changes in residence and conditions for transfer/discharge.
• Freedom from Abuse and Restraints: Protection from abuse and unnecessary restraints.
• Quality of Life: Environment promoting dignity, self-determination, and participation.

Section 4: California Code of Regulations Title 22 Division 5 Chapter 3 72527

• Encouragement of Rights: Residents encouraged to exercise their rights.
• Written Policies: Policies on patient rights must be available.
• Informed of Rights: Patients informed of rights, services, and charges.
• Refusal of Treatment: Right to refuse treatment with informed consent.
• Confidentiality: Records and communications must be kept confidential.
• Freedom from Abuse: Protection from mental/physical abuse and restraints.
• Right to Privacy: Includes communication, visits, and personal activities.

Section 5: Role in Preventing Negligent Acts

• Recognize Negligence vs. Abuse: Understand the distinction and evidence.
• Prevention: Learn how to prevent violations of rights.
• Policies: Define relevant facility, state, and federal policies.

Section 6: Role in Reporting Rights Violations

• Identify Violations: Recognize and report rights violations.
• Reporting Protocol: Follow federal mandate for reporting.
• Follow-Up: Ensure follow-up on reported incidents.

Section 7: Role of Ombudsman

• Advocacy: Acts as a patient/resident advocate.
• Complaint Resolution: Investigate complaints and resolve conflicts.
• Legal Responsibility: Follow facility protocol and inform the public.

Section 8: Examples of Patient/Resident Rights

• Physiological Needs: Food, water, sleep, etc.
• Safety and Security: Freedom from fear, stability, and routine.
• Belonging: Sense of belonging and acceptance.
• Self-Esteem: Respect, approval, recognition.
• Self-Actualization: Opportunities for pride and accomplishment.