Client rights

As a nursing assistant, caring for clients requires knowing and respecting client rights. The rights of clients in hospitals are outlined by the American Hospital Association, or AHA, Patient Care Partnerships, while those of clients in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, are outlined under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or OBRA for short, which is a federal law enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Alright, both AHA and OBRA outline rights of clients who are being cared for in healthcare facilities, and these facilities must inform clients about their rights in a way that they can understand.

This means that written translations or interpreters must be available if needed. Large print should be available for clients with vision impairment.

Clients also have the right to know the identities of those who are caring for them and to receive compassionate, respectful, quality care in a safe and clean environment that supports quality of life.

The right of clients to participate in activities and form client groups promotes quality of life. The right to keep personal items in their rooms is an important right that promotes comfort and a home-like setting.

They have the right to choose their own healthcare providers to be involved in the planning of their care, and to have their personal values and spiritual beliefs respected.

Respect for privacy of their bodies, their personal affairs and private information are also important rights of the clients. Clients have the right to be free from restraints and all forms of abuse, maltreatment, and neglect.

If a client has a concern about their treatment or care, they have the right to ask questions, voice concerns, and make complaints. And finally, clients must always be free to exercise all basic civil and religious liberties as a United States citizen.

Alright, let’s take a closer look at a client’s right to make personal choices whenever it is safe for them to do so. For example, clients have the right to choose their clothing; what to eat; and when to sleep, take a nap, and wake up.

They have the right to have visitors of their choosing; to listen to the type of music or watch television programs they enjoy; and to participate in social, religious, and community activities of their choice.

Another very important right of clients is their right to decide what can and can’t be done to their own bodies and to be fully informed about any treatment or procedure before it is performed.

For example, when a client understands the reason for a procedure, what will be done, who will do it, alternatives to the procedure, as well as the potential benefits and risks, that client is able to give informed consent.

It’s important to know that informed consent can’t be given by someone who is mentally incapacitated, sedated, confused, or under legal age, which is usually 18 years of age.

In cases where the person cannot give consent, a relative or other legal representative designated by the client is responsible for giving consent.