INTRODUCTION

The basic rights of human beings for independence of expression, decision, and action, and concern for personal dignity and
human relationships are always of great importance. During sickness, however, the presence or absence of these rights becomes a
vital, deciding factor in survival and recovery. Thus, it becomes a prime responsibility for hospitals to endeavor to assure that
these rights are preserved for their patients.
DEFINITION 
Patient’s rights are policies and rules that must be preserved and protected by the Health facility toward patients and their
families.
Patient rights encompass legal and ethical issues in the provider- patient relationship, including a person’s right to privacy, the
right to quality medical care without prejudicies, the right to make informed decisions about care and treatment options, and to
right to refuse treatment.
- US ADVISORY COMMISSION (1998)
PURPOSES OF PATIENT’RIGHTS 
 Ensure the ethical treatment of persons receiving medical or other professional health care services.
 Persons in all settings are entitled to receive ethical treatment.
GOALS OF PATIENT’S RIGHTS
 To help patients feel more confident in the health care system.
 To stress the importance of a strong relationship between patients and their health care providers.
 To stress the key role of patients play in staying healthy by laying out rights and responsibilities for all patients and health care
providers.
ORIGIN OF PATIENT RIGHTS
BASIC PATIENT RIGHTS:
 Participate in the development and implementation of care.
 Be treated with respect and dignity.
 Be informed about condition, treatment options, and the possible results and side effects of treatment.
 Refuse treatment in accordance with the law, and receive information about the refusal of treatment.
 Quality health care without discrimination because of race, creed, gender, religion or source of payment.
 Privacy and confidentiality, which includes access to medical records upon request.
 Personal safety.
BILLS OF PATIENT RIGHTS
1- Information
2- Respect & Dignity
3- Choice & Participation
4- Confidentiality
5- Access to Care
6- Safety & Security
7- Appeals & Complaints
KEY AREAS OF PATIENT’S RIGHTS:
 Information of patients.
 Choice of providers and plans.
 Access to emergency services.
 Taking part in treatment decisions.
 PRECAUTIONS TO BETAKEN BY THE PATIENT TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS:
 Incase of surgical treatment or invasive procedures and investigations,the details are understood by the patient before they sign in
the consent form.
 At the time of discharge, make sure that they have been given copies of all the relevant records.
 At the time of discharge, make sure that they have received the bills for all the payments made by them.
 They have the right to get details of drugs administered to them.
 Have the right to ask for a second opinion.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PATIENTS
 Faithfullness of agreed therapy.
 Follow the doctors instructions carefully.
 Take necessary preventive measures in case of infectious diseases.
 Make the payment of the treatment, wherever applicable, to the doctors, hospital promptly.
 Respect the autonomy of the doctors and nurses.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSES
 Accept a patient only if the management of the patient is within the skill and competence.
 Have genuine concern for the patient.
 Create an atmosphere of trust and friendship with the patient and the family .
 Inform the patient of the proposed procedure and the possible outcomes and the other alternatives.
 Give maximum possible care.
 Be available till your services are no longer required.
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 
It is a act to provide better protection of the interests of the consumers and for that purpose to make provisions for establishment of
consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumers dispute and for matters connected there with.
DEFINITION OF CONSUMER
Consumer means any person who hires or avails of any services for a consideration which has been paid or promised or under any
system of deferred payment.
ORIGIN OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Consumer protection act popularly called COPRA was enacted By Parliament in December 1986 and came into force on 1st April,
1987
AIMS OF CPA
 This Act aims to provide better protection to the interests of the consumers.
 To make provisions for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities to provide speedy and cheap remedy to the
consumers.
 It safeguards the rights of consumers.
 To provide a simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal for consumer grievances relating to detective
goods, deficient services and unfair trade practices.
 To bring medical services under the perview of the act.
PATIENT RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT:
 Right to be protected from hazardous goods and services.
 Right to be informed about the quality and performance of goods and services.
 Right to free from choice of goods and services.
 Right to be heard in decision making process concerning consumer interests.
 Right to be redressal if consumer rights are infringed.
 Right to consumer education.
Conditions of CPA Penalties
Where the defendant or the complainant fails to comply, then it may be punishable with imprisonment for a term which is not be less
than one month but which may extend to three years, or with fine which is not be less than Rs 2,000 but which may extend to Rs
10,000 or with both.
FORUMS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT: 
 District forum.
 State commission.
 National commission.
DISTRICT FORUM: A person who is or has been qualified to be a District judge (President) Two persons known for ability,
integrity and knowledge of economics, law, commerce, accounting, industry oradministration, one of whom shall be a woman.The
forum can encertain complaints where the compensation claimed does not exceed Rupees five lakhs.
THE STATE COMMISSION: The state commission has three persons:A person who is or has been a judge of the high court -
President. Two persons known for ability, integrity and knowledge of economics, law, commerce, accounting, industry or
administration, one of whom shall be a woman.The commission entertains complaints where the compensation claimed is more than
five lakhs rupees and less than twenty lakhs and also appeals against the orders of the district forum in the state.
NATIONAL COMMISSION: 
The national commission has five members.
A person who is or has been a judge of the supreme court - President.
Four persons known for ability, integrity and knowledge of economics,law,commerce, accounting, industry or administration,one of
whom shall be a woman.
CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCILS: 

The minister in charge of the food and civil supplies of Govt of India.Official and non-official members representing such interests as
may be prescribed by the Government of India.
MEDICAL PROFESSION’S VIEWS ABOUT CPA
Arguments against CPA
 Medical services cannot be compared to defective household appliances.
 Medical services are personal in nature and not the type offered by manufacturers of consumer products.
 The state medical Councils are the proper authorities to hear complaints of nature.
 Inclusion of doctors under the Act would encourage frivolous complaints, as no fees are charged.
 The Medical professional would be harassed corruption will seep in.
CONCLUSION
In providing care, hospitals have the right to expect behavior on the part of patients and their relatives and friends, which considering
the nature of their illness, is reasonable and responsible.
Consumer have the authority to be protect against marketing price fix goods and service which are harmful for their life and
property. Right to give information about the quantity, quality, purity, potency, and standard of goods and service is come under
the consumer rights.