La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-6279

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-6279 - Client Rights

A. A TGH shall develop and implement policies to protect its clients rights and to respond to questions and grievances pertaining to these rights. A TGH and its staff shall not violate a clients rights.

B. A client shall be granted at least the following rights:

1. the right to be informed of the client's rights and responsibilities in advance of furnishing or discontinuing client care;

2. the right to have a family member, chosen representative and/or his or her own physician notified promptly of admission to the TGH;

3. the right to receive treatment and medical services without discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay or source of payment;

4. the right to be treated with consideration, respect and recognition of their individuality, including the need for privacy in treatment;

5. the right to receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter, if needed, to facilitate communication between the client and the TGH's health care personnel;

6. the right to participate in the development and implementation of his/her treatment plan;

7. the right to make informed decisions regarding his/her care by the client or in the case of a minor, the client's parent, guardian or responsible party, whichever is applicable in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations;

8. the right to be informed of his/her health status, and be involved in care planning and treatment;

9. the right to be included in experimental research only when he/she gives informed, written consent to such participation, or when a guardian provides such consent for an incompetent client or a minor client in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations. The client may refuse to participate in experimental research, including the investigations of new drugs and medical devices;

10. the right to be informed by the attending physician and other providers of health care services about any continuing health care requirements after the client's discharge from the TGH. The client shall also have the right to receive assistance from the physician and appropriate TGH staff in arranging for required follow-up care after discharge;

11. the right to consult and communicate freely and privately with his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s), if permitted in the comprehensive treatment plan;

12. the right to consult freely and privately with legal counsel;

13. the right to make complaints without fear of reprisal;

14. the right to communicate via a telephone, as allowed by the comprehensive treatment plan;

15. the right to send and receive mail as allowed by the comprehensive treatment plan;

16. the right to possess and use personal money and belongings, including personal clothing, subject to rules and restrictions imposed by the TGH;

17. the right to visit or be visited by family and friends subject only to reasonable rules and to any specific restrictions in the client's treatment plan. The reasons for any special restrictions shall be recorded in the client's treatment plan;

18. the right to have the individual client's medical records, including all computerized medical information, kept confidential;

19. the right to access information contained in his/her medical records within a reasonable time frame, subject to restrictions imposed in the comprehensive treatment plan;

20. the right to be free from all forms of abuse and harassment;

21. the right to receive care in a safe setting;

22. the right to be informed in writing about the TGH's policies and procedures for initiation, review and resolution of client complaints;

23. the right to have access to appropriate educational services consistent with the client's abilities and needs, taking into account his/her age and level of functioning;

24. the right to indoor and outdoor recreational and leisure opportunities;

25. the right to attend religious services in accordance with his/her faith. Clients shall not be forced to attend religious services; and

26. the right to choose a provider, the right to be discharged from his current provider and be transferred to another provider, and the right to discontinue services altogether unless prohibited by court order.

C. In addition to the rights listed herein, clients have the rights provided in the Louisiana Mental Health Law and the Louisiana Children's Code.

D. A TGH shall provide a copy of the client's rights to each client upon admission and shall have documentation of each client who received a copy of them.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6279

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 38:421 (February 2012), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 44781 (4/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2009.