Section 246-320-141. Patient rights and organizational ethics.

The purpose of this section is to improve patient care and outcomes by respecting every patient and maintaining ethical relationships with the public.

Hospitals must:

(1) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that define each patient's right to:

(a) Be treated and cared for with dignity and respect;

(b) Confidentiality, privacy, security, complaint resolution, spiritual care, and communication. If communication restrictions are necessary for patient care and safety, the hospital must document and explain the restrictions to the patient and family;

(c) Be protected from abuse and neglect;

(d) Access protective services;

(e) Complain about their care and treatment without fear of retribution or denial of care;

(f) Timely complaint resolution;

(g) Be involved in all aspects of their care including:

(i) Refusing care and treatment; and

(ii) Resolving problems with care decisions.

(h) Be informed of unanticipated outcomes according to RCW 70.41.380;

(i) Be informed and agree to their care;

(j) Family input in care decisions;

(k) Have advance directives and for the hospital to respect and follow those directives;

(l) Request no resuscitation or life-sustaining treatment;

(m) End of life care;

(n) Donate organs and other tissues according to RCW 68.50.500 and 68.50.560 including:

(i) Medical staff input; and

(ii) Direction by family or surrogate decision makers.

(2) Provide each patient a written statement of patient rights from subsection (1) of this section;

(3) Adopt and implement policies and procedures to identify patients who are potential organ and tissue donors;

(4) Adopt and implement policies and procedures to address research, investigation, and clinical trials including:

(a) How to authorize research;

(b) Require staff to follow informed consent laws; and

(c) Not hindering a patient's access to care if a patient refuses to participate.

(5) No later than sixty days following the effective date of this section, every hospital must submit to the department its policies related to access to care:

(a) Admission;

(b) Nondiscrimination;

(c) End of life care; and

(d) Reproductive health care.

(6) The department shall post a copy of the policies received under subsection (5) of this section on its web site.

(7) If a hospital makes changes or additions to any of the policies listed under subsection (5) of this section, it must submit a copy of the changed or added policy to the department within thirty days after the hospital approves the changes or additions.

(8) Hospitals must post a copy of the policies provided under subsection (5) of this section to its own web site where it is readily accessible to the public, without requiring a login or other restriction.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.38.135, 70.38.115, 70.41.030, chapters 70.38 and 70.41 RCW. WSR 14-02-040, § 246-320-141, filed 12/23/13, effective 1/23/14. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.41 RCW and RCW 43.70.040. WSR 09-07-050, § 246-320-141, filed 3/11/09, effective 4/11/09.]

RCW 70.38.135, 70.38.115, 70.41.030, chapters 70.38 and 70.41 RCW. WSR 14-02-040, § 246-320-141, filed 12/23/13, effective 1/23/14. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.41 RCW and RCW 43.70.040. WSR 09-07-050, § 246-320-141, filed 3/11/09, effective 4/11/09.