Virginia has enacted several laws to prevent medical malpractice. Injured patients in Virginia are entitled to certain rights for their care. Below is an explanation of a few of the rights afforded to Virginia patients.
Rights Extend to All Patients
Virginia does not exclude any class of patients from coverage. For minor children, this right is given to parents and for elderly patients to the guardian.
Foundation for Rights
Patient rights in Virginia are modeled after the American Hospital Association’s statement of patient rights. Virginia ensures compliance with these rights by requiring hospitals a checklist to complete at the time of treatment.
The Right to Information
Virginia law entitles a patient to be informed about his illness and treatment. Information includes being notified about the aspects of a procedure and the medications prescribed to him in understandable terms. This law also provides patients the right to know the names and titles of those providing him treatment and about any relationships between providers that pertain to his care. The right to information extends to include notifying a family member or your private physician that you are seeking treatment in a medical facility.
The Right to Be Involved In Treatment Plans
Virginia entitles patients to be informed about and involved in the plan for their treatment. This right includes the right to refuse medications or treatment and be informed what may happen if you do so refuse. No patient in Virginia is required to participate in any studies related to his care.
The Right to Access Medical Records and Question Them
A patient has the right to access his medical records and the right to keep those records private from others. This does not mean that a patient has unlimited access, but rather that upon reasonable request a patient is entitled to review his records. Additionally, a patient may ask questions about his records and have his question answered. This same rule applies to a patient’s hospital or treatment bill.
The Right to Address Complaints
The Virginia laws clearly set forth the procedure for when a patient believes his rights have been violated. These laws provide telephone numbers and grievance procedures for filing a complaint of mistreatment against state hospitals. In some circumstances these rules might apply to private facilities as well.
Getting Legal Help
If you sought treatment in a Virginia medical facility and believe your rights were violated, seek legal advice about your claim. An attorney will review the rights the state affords patients to determine whether you have a cause of action.
