Patient Rights and ​Responsibilities

Patient Rights:

• Receiving appropriate and available healthcare services at medical facilities under the Health Affairs of the Ministry of National Guard, in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Being treated with respect and dignity at all times and in all circumstances, while respecting the patient's culture, religious, and social values.
• Ensuring the provision of a safe environment for patients and their families within medical facilities, according to the regulations and procedures of the Ministry of National Guard's healthcare system.
• Maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy, including:

  1. Patients are not required to speak to anyone other than their healthcare team.
  2. Patients have the right to refuse to meet or speak with anyone not directly involved in their care, including visitors.
  3. Only those directly involved in the patient's care may access their medical records and health information.
  4. Patients have the right to be examined and assessed in designated areas, away from the hearing and sight of others (if possible).
  5. If a patient feels harassed by other patients or visitors, they may be moved to another room, provided the facility has available rooms and permits such procedures.
     
• Isolation of the patient for preventive or security reasons if necessary.
• Patients have the right to know the name of their attending physician and anyone involved in their medical care.
• Ensuring patients have appropriate means to contact their families.
• Providing adequate pain management and taking all reasonable steps to alleviate it based on medical decisions.
• Providing translators to facilitate communication between the patient and the medical team for non-Arabic speakers.
• Patients or their legal representatives (guardian, custodian, or legal representative) have the right to a comprehensive explanation of their condition and the medical procedures related to their treatment, including possible complications. If such information could harm the patient's health, it should only be disclosed to the authorized individuals. After agreeing to the explained procedure, the patient or their representative must sign the medical consent form according to the applicable regulations.
• Patients or their representatives have the right to refuse any treatment, with an explanation of the potential consequences provided by the attending physician. If refusal of treatment prevents the provision of appropriate medical care, the relationship with the facility will be terminated through a formal notice to the patient or their representative. Before leaving the hospital, the patient or representative must sign a treatment refusal form.
• Patients have the right to consult any specialist regarding their condition at any other medical facility at their own expense.
• Patients have the right to accept or refuse participation in medical research.
• Patients and their families must be provided with guidance and instructions to benefit from the provided care, including preventive care and medication or dietary instructions (if applicable).
• Patients or their representatives must be informed of the necessary guidelines and instructions when a transfer to another facility is required to continue treatment, in accordance with the facility's procedures and treatment eligibility.
• The Patient Experience Department and its representatives within the Health Affairs facilities will inform the patient or their representative of the relevant rules, regulations, and procedures, and how to submit suggestions or complaints, as well as follow up on these matters to inform them of any outcomes.
• Filing complaints, suggestions, or feedback by the patient or their guardian will not negatively impact the patient's treatment or care.
• Patients must receive all necessary instructions, appointments, medications, and supplies (if applicable) before discharge from the hospital.

Patient Responsibilities:

Dear patient,

The Health Affairs of the Ministry of National Guard strives to provide you with the best possible healthcare and treatment. To facilitate this, we have established a set of guidelines to ensure the efficient delivery of medical services. Therefore, you and your family are required to observe the following:

• To assist in formulating an appropriate treatment and medication plan, please inform your doctor of all relevant information about your medical condition, including previous hospital visits, medications used, and any changes that occurred during treatment.
• Attend all scheduled appointments and follow the medical follow-up plan prescribed by your healthcare team.
• If unable to attend an appointment, patients must reschedule through the available communication channels.
• Patients and their families must strictly adhere to the treatment plan set by the healthcare team.
• The Health Affairs provides highly skilled medical personnel capable of determining the appropriate treatment methods for each condition. The patient and their family assume full responsibility for any consequences arising from refusing treatment or failing to follow given instructions.
• Patients and their families must adhere to the scheduled times for medical tests or visits with the attending physician, even if they are feeling better. If unable to attend, the patient must contact the clinic's appointment department or the Patient Services department (Information Center) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
• Patients, their families, and visitors must comply with all rules and regulations of the medical facility.
• Patients and their families must treat the medical team with respect and consideration for the feelings and conditions of other patients.
• If a sitter is permitted for the patient by the physician, the sitter will be given an authorization form and must comply with the conditions listed in it.
• Patients and their families are required to take care of any property or equipment provided by the facility for their use.
• Patients should not bring valuables to the hospital, and failure to follow this instruction will result in the patient and their family being responsible for any losses.
• Patients and their families must leave the facility promptly upon completing the treatment procedures and discharge formalities.
  

We wish you and your family good health and well-being.

Patients Sitters

Sitter Guidelines:

• Only one sitter is allowed (minimum age of 18).
• A sitter for patients under 18 may be permitted.
• Sitter authorization is based on the medical or social need of the patient, as determined by the physician or social service officer.
• The sitter should be female for female patients and children, and male for male patients, except for those in shared rooms.
• Sitters are not permitted to bring children.

Sitter Rights:

• The sitter must inform the responsible nurse or the emergency room if they feel unwell, and a qualified replacement will be provided for the patient.

Sitter Responsibilities:

• Sitters are not allowed to use the ward kitchen.
• Sitter must wake up at 7:30 AM.
• Sitters must not walk barefoot.

End of Sitter Authorization:

• When the patient is discharged from the hospital or when a temporary pass is issued.
• When the doctor determines that the patient no longer requires a sitter.
• If the sitter violates hospital regulations or fails to follow the instructions outlined in the sitter guidelines.​​​​​