The Patient Bill of Rights All patients have the right to: · Make decisions about their own care. · Change their minds about health care treatments and services. · Refuse care (after being told what might happen if they do refuse). · Have an advance directive if they want one...including a living will or a health care power of attorney. Patient Right #3:  The Right to Participate PAGE 5 © 2001 In the Know, Inc. As you go through your work day, be sure to: · Honor any advance directive.  For example, if your patient has a “Do Not Resuscitate” order, make sure you know what to do if he or she stops breathing during your care. · Encourage your patients to take their medications as scheduled. · Help your patients follow any exercise plans that have been set up for them by a physical or occupational therapist. · Allow your patients to refuse care if they wish—but be sure to document the situation and let your supervisor know.   (Keep in mind that a patient’s medical insurance may have rules about paying for care that the patient keeps refusing!) · Encourage your patients to participate in their personal care.   Even if they aren’t strong enough to bathe by themselves, they can probably wash their faces or comb their hair.  The more they do for themselves, the more independent they will remain! Ways To Meet This Patient Right Along with this right, patients have a responsibility to: ·   Ask for more information if they don’t understand something. ·   Go to all scheduled doctor appointments. ·   Follow the plan of care that they help create. ·   Give your workplace a copy of any living will or other advance directive. Ha, Ha!! Just as a surgeon was finishing up an operation and was about to close, the patient opens his eyes, sits up, and demands to know what is going on.   "I'm about to close," the surgeon says. The patient grabs the surgeon's hand and says, "I'm not going to let you do that! I'll close my own incision!" The surgeon hands him the thread and says, "Suture self".