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The Patient Self Determination Act of the United States protects clients in terms of their rights to what? Select all that apply.

  • A

    Privacy and to have their medical information confidential unless the client formally approves the sharing of this information with others such as family members.

  • B

    Make healthcare decisions and to have these decisions protected and communicated to others when they are no longer competent to do so.

  • C

    Be fully informed about all treatments in term of their benefits, risks and alternatives to them so the client can make a knowledgeable and informed decision about whether or not to agree to having it

  • D

    Make decisions about who their health care provider is without any coercion or undue influence of others including healthcare providers.

Correct Response: B, D

The Patient Self Determination Act, which was passed by the US Congress in 1990, gives Americans the right to make healthcare decisions and to have these decisions protected and communicated to others when they are no longer competent to do so. These decisions can also include rejections for future care and treatment and these decisions are reflect in advance directives. This Act also supports the rights of the client to be free of any coercion or any undue influence of others including healthcare providers.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) supports and upholds the clients’ rights to confidentially and the privacy of their medical related information regardless of its form. It covers hard copy and electronic medical records unless the client has formally approved the sharing of this information with others such as family members.

The elements of informed consent which includes information about possible treatments and procedures in terms of their benefits, risks and alternatives to them so the client can make a knowledgeable and informed decision about whether or not to agree to having it may be part of these advanced directives, but the law that protects these advance directives is the Patient Self Determination Act.