Patient rights and obligations

PATIENT RIGHTS

Patients have the right to the highest quality medical care available to society, in accordance with human, financial and material resources.

The patient has the right to be respected as a human being, without any discrimination.

I. The patient’s right to medical information

The patient has the right to be informed about the medical services available and how to use them.
The patient has the right to be informed about the identity and professional status of healthcare providers.
The hospitalized patient has the right to be informed about the rules and customs to be observed during hospitalization.
The patient has the right to be informed about their state of health, the proposed medical interventions, the potential risks of each procedure, the existing alternatives to the proposed procedures, including the consequences of not undergoing treatment and not following medical recommendations, as well as information about diagnosis and prognosis.
The patient has the right to decide whether they wish to be informed if the information provided by the physician could cause suffering.
Information shall be provided to the patient in a respectful, clear language, minimizing specialized terminology that could limit their understanding; if the patient does not speak Romanian, the information will be provided in an international language or, as the case may be, in the mother tongue through a personal translator.
The patient has the right to expressly request not to be informed and to choose another person to be informed in their place.
Relatives and friends of the patient may be informed about the progress of investigations, diagnosis and treatment, with the patient’s consent.
The patient has the right to request and obtain another medical opinion.
Upon discharge, the patient has the right to request and receive a written summary of the investigations, diagnosis, treatment and care provided during hospitalization.

II. Patient consent for medical intervention

The patient has the right to refuse or stop a medical intervention, assuming in writing responsibility for the decision; the consequences of refusal or stopping medical acts must be explained to the patient.
When the patient cannot express their will, but an emergency medical intervention is necessary, the medical staff has the right to deduce the patient’s consent from a previous expression of their will.
If the patient requires an emergency medical intervention, the consent of the legal representative is no longer required.
If the consent of the legal representative is required, the patient must be involved in the decision-making process as far as their understanding allows.
If healthcare providers consider that the intervention is in the patient’s interest and the legal representative refuses to give consent, the decision is referred to a specialized arbitration committee. The arbitration committee consists of 3 doctors for hospitalized patients and 2 doctors for outpatients.
The patient’s consent is required for the collection, storage and use of any biological products taken from their body, for the purpose of establishing the diagnosis or treatment with which the patient agrees.
The patient’s consent is required for participation in clinical medical education and scientific research. Persons who are unable to express their will may not be used for scientific research, except with the consent of the legal representative and if the research is also in the interest of the patient.
The patient may not be photographed or filmed in a medical unit without their consent, except where images are necessary for diagnosis or treatment and to avoid suspicion of medical fault. Common promotional events held in common areas of the hospital are exempt.

III. Right to confidentiality of information and private life

All information regarding the patient’s condition, test results, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and personal data is confidential even after the patient’s death.
Confidential information may be provided only if the patient gives explicit consent or if the law expressly requires it.
If the information is needed by other accredited healthcare providers involved in the patient’s treatment, consent is no longer required.
The patient has access to their personal medical data.
Any interference in the patient’s private and family life is prohibited, except in cases where such interference positively influences the diagnosis, treatment or care provided and only with the patient’s consent. Exceptions are cases where the patient poses a danger to themselves or to public health.

IV. Patient rights in the field of reproduction

The woman’s right to life prevails when the pregnancy represents a major and immediate risk factor for the mother’s life.
The patient has the right to information, education and services necessary for the development of a normal sexual life and reproductive health, without discrimination.
The woman’s right to decide whether or not to have children is guaranteed, with the exception provided by art. 26.
Through the healthcare system, the patient has the right to choose the safest methods regarding reproductive health.
Every patient has the right to effective and risk-free family planning methods.

V. The patient’s right to treatment and medical care

If providers are obliged to select patients for certain types of treatment available in limited numbers, selection is made solely on the basis of medical criteria.
Medical interventions on the patient may be performed only if the necessary equipment and accredited personnel are available.
The patient has the right to terminal care in order to die with dignity.
The patient may benefit from the support of family and friends, as well as spiritual, psychological and material support and advice throughout the course of medical care. At the patient’s request and as far as possible, the care and treatment environment will be created as close as possible to the family environment.
The hospitalized patient has the right to receive medical services from a doctor accredited outside the hospital.
The hospitalized patient has the right to have a relative or close person nearby and involved in their individual care during hospitalization, subject to the rules and payment of related fees.
The hospitalized patient has the right to be visited (subject to the rules and visiting hours) and to select or refuse visitors.
The patient may offer additional payments or donations to employees or the unit where they were treated, in compliance with the law.
The patient has the right to continuous medical care until their health condition improves or until recovery.
Continuity of care is ensured through collaboration and partnership between various public and private medical units, hospital and ambulatory, specialized or general practice, provided by doctors, nurses or other qualified personnel. After discharge, patients have the right to available community services.
The patient has the right to emergency medical care, emergency dental care and pharmaceutical services, around the clock.

VI. Right to be informed about the patient–hospital relationship

During hospitalization, the patient may opt for a fasting/vegetarian menu, with the approval of the attending physician.
The patient has the right to have their moral, cultural and religious beliefs respected.
Medical or non-medical staff in healthcare units may not pressure the patient to offer rewards other than those provided by the legal payment regulations of the institution.
The patient has the right to receive, upon request, detailed explanations regarding the paid medical services they receive/received at the hospital.
Patients have the right to have complaints examined and resolved in a fair, efficient and prompt manner and to be informed of the outcome. Suggestions or complaints of a medical or administrative nature may be submitted in writing to the ward medical staff, triage staff, the complaints register at the hospital reception or in satisfaction questionnaires.

Note: The above provisions are supplemented by the provisions of Law 46/2003 on patient rights.

PATIENT OBLIGATIONS

General obligations

to respect the hospital rules of access, conduct and discipline, the visiting rules and schedule, as well as meal and rest times;
to not produce loud noises of any kind (including sound from audio-video equipment or communication devices), and to not initiate actions that may cause discomfort to hospitalized patients or other persons around;
to maintain a calm and comfortable environment in the wards;
to maintain order and cleanliness in the wards and common areas;
to show ethical behavior and a civilized attitude towards healthcare staff;
to not damage or soil the furniture in the ward, the walls, sanitary installations or other objects in the hospital; otherwise, they may have to cover the cost of any damage;
to respect the internal regulations of the unit;
to wear the mandatory hospital attire. Leaving the hospital in this attire is prohibited, as is walking on the streets or in parks wearing it;
to not leave the unit during hospitalization except with the approval of the head of the ward;
to move only within the ward where they are hospitalized or where medical investigations are carried out;
to not bring electronic equipment into the hospital without prior written approval from the head of the ward or the head nurse;
to not smoke on hospital premises and to not consume or bring alcoholic beverages or substances that are dangerous or prohibited by law;
to personally ensure the security and protection of valuable personal belongings they bring into the hospital, assuming full responsibility for them;
to not bring food into the hospital without the approval of the attending physician and to keep any food only in the refrigerator (not on the table or nightstand).

Medical-specific obligations

to respect other patients and their rights;
to strictly follow the treatment and instructions of the doctor and healthcare staff;
to assume full responsibility for any consequences arising from the refusal to follow the treatment, instructions and recommendations of the medical staff;
to inform the medical staff exactly and in a timely manner about any manifestations or reactions to the prescribed treatment or medicines;
to cooperate continuously with the doctor regarding their health condition;
to provide the medical staff with all relevant information they hold about their own health, as well as any other information (religious affiliation, cultural and ethnic values and customs, etc.) that may affect or influence medical care and related services;
to provide accurate and complete information regarding previous hospitalizations, personal and health details, including diet and lifestyle;
to request detailed information from the medical staff regarding their individual health condition, the tests and analyses performed, the established diagnosis and the proposed treatment before giving consent for any procedure and medical act they accept. Patients have the right and freedom to ask as many questions as they need about their medical situation.
to inform the medical staff and request support for any uncertainties and questions regarding medical documents;
to consider that there may be an objective reason why a service is not available at a certain time or in a certain form;
to show up for consultations/interventions/admissions at the time scheduled or notify the doctor at least 24 hours in advance if the appointment needs to be canceled or rescheduled.