(a) Except as
otherwise provided in
AS
47.30.825, a patient, client, or a nursing
facility resident has rights that include the following:
(1) to associate and communicate privately
with persons of the patient's, client's, or resident's choice;
(2) to have reasonable access to a telephone
to make and receive confidential calls;
(3) to mail and receive unopened
correspondence;
(4) to be informed
of the facility's grievance procedure for handling complaints relating to
patient, client, or resident care;
(5) to be free from physical or chemical
restraints except as specified in
AS
47.30.825 or
7
AAC 12.258;
(6) to be treated with consideration and
recognition of the patient's, client's, or resident's dignity and
individuality;
(7) to
confidentiality of the patient's, client's, or resident's medical records and
treatment;
(8) to be free from
unnecessary or excessive medications;
(9) to private visits by the patient's,
client's, or resident's spouse, and to share a room if both spouses are
patients, clients, or residents in the facility, unless medical reasons or
space problems require separation;
(10) to be informed in a language that the
patient, client, or resident understands, before or at the time of admission
and during the stay, of services that are available in the facility and their
cost, including any costs for services or personal care items not covered by
the facility's basic per diem rate or not covered under
42 U.S.C.
1395 -
1396 v (Titles XVIII or XIX of the
Social Security Act);
(11) to be
informed, in a language that the patient, client, or resident understands, of
the patient's, client's, or resident's medical condition by the practitioner
responsible for treatment;
(12) to
refuse to participate in experimental research, psychosurgery, lobotomy,
electroconvulsive therapy, or aversive conditioning;
(13) to participate in the development of a
plan of care, or discharge plan, and to receive instructions for self-care and
treatment that include explanation of adverse symptoms and necessary
precautions, as appropriate;
(14)
to be informed, in a language that the patient, client, or resident
understands, of the rights listed in this subsection and of all the rules and
regulations governing patient, client, or resident conduct and
responsibility;
(15) to be informed
of the professional training and experience of the practitioner responsible for
treatment;
(16) to be informed by a
practitioner of different options to the treatment recommended by the
practitioner responsible for treatment, including the risks and benefits of
each option.
(b) A
written notice that sets out the rights listed in (a) of this section must be
posted in a conspicuous location, and a copy must be given to a patient, a
client, a resident, a family member, or the legal representative of the
patient, client, or resident and, at cost, to a member of the public.
(c) A written notice that sets out the
facility procedures for receipt and safekeeping of patients', clients', or
residents' money and valuables must be posted in a conspicuous location. A copy
of the notice must be given to a patient, client, or resident, or to a family
member or legal representative of the patient, client, or resident. If
requested, a copy of the notice must be provided, at cost, to a member of the
public. A receipt for safeguarded money and valuables must be provided by the
facility to the patient, client, or resident at the time of admission and
following changes in the facility's procedures.
(d) A facility must establish written
procedures to assure delivery of complaints by patients, clients, or residents
to the facility's administration. The administration shall acknowledge receipt
of a patient's, client's, or resident's complaint, and take appropriate
action.
