Which document provides protections for patients in healthcare?

The Patient Bill of Rights is a vital document designed to safeguard patients' rights and ensure they receive adequate care in healthcare settings. This document outlines the rights that patients have while receiving medical treatment, including the right to informed consent, the right to privacy and confidentiality, the right to make decisions about their own care, and the right to access their medical information.

The Patient Bill of Rights serves as a guideline for healthcare providers, ensuring that patients are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. It empowers patients by making them aware of their rights, which fosters better communication between patients and healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes.

In contrast, while an Advance Directive outlines a patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they may not be able to express their preferences, it does not provide a broad set of rights like the Patient Bill of Rights. The Health Insurance Portability Act focuses more on the protection of individuals' health information and ensuring insurance coverage continuity, rather than the rights of patients within the healthcare system itself. A Medical History Form is primarily for documenting a patient's medical background and has no direct implications for patient rights.