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Pacific EyeClinic Patient Bill of Rights
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The Â鶹ӰÊÓ College of Optometry recognizes and affirms the rights of our Pacific EyeClinic patients as described below.

  • The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care, and to receive the institution's highest efforts at providing quality care regardless of race, creed, religion, age, national origin, personal preference, or other factors.
  • The patient has the right to know the name and credentials of all faculty and students involved in rendering or coordinating his or her care.
  • The patient has the right to obtain from his doctor complete and current information considering his diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.  This information is to be conveyed in terms that the patient can reasonably be expected to understand. When it is not possible to give such information directly to the patient, the information should be made available to an authorized person acting as that patient's representative.
  • The patient has the right to receive all information necessary to give informed consent prior to, and throughout administration of, any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Such information for consent should include (but not necessarily be limited to), the specific procedure and/or treatment, the health-related risks involved, the expense of the procedure, and the probable duration of therapy. When alternatives for care or treatment exist, the patient has the right to know the name and the profession of a person responsibly engaged in providing the alternative form of care or treatment.
  • The patient has the right to refuse any or all diagnostic or treatment procedures, and to be fully informed of the probable consequences of his or her action.
  • The patient has the right to full privacy concerning his or her own health status and health care. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment, are all considered confidential, and they should be conducted discretely.  Those not directly involved in a patient's care, must have at least the implied permission of the patient to be present within the examination room.
  • The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his or her care will be treated confidentially.
  • The patient has the right to expect PUCO clinics will make a reasonable response to any request for aid or service. The clinics must provide evaluation, treatment, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the need. When necessary, a patient may be referred to another provider, and the provider or institution receiving the referral should be provided with all appropriate information upon receipt of implied or expressed release of information by the patient.
  • The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship between PUCO and other care providers to which he or she is being referred.
  • The patient has the right to be fully advised, informed, and counseled, any time there is an element of experimentation or research associated with the care being given. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research or experimentation, and to receive more traditional care or referral, if requested.
  • The patient has the right to expect a reasonable continuity of care. He or she has the right to know in advance what appointment times and services are available, and to know specifically what appointments have been made on his or her behalf.
  • The patient has the right to be fully and accurately informed regarding all professional fees prior to and throughout the provision of services. He or she has the right to examine and receive an explanation of all billings and postings, regardless of the proposed source of payment.
  • The patient has the right to know what institutional rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct while a patient.
  • The patient has the right to know that care review procedures exist, and has the right to be advised as to how they may be initiated.
  • These rights are stated with the expectation that all clinical faculty, staff, and students, will support, respect, and honor them. Each patient's individuality and diversity is to be honored, and it is only in an atmosphere of such respect that optimum vision and health care can be provided.