Basic patient rights
Health services may be provided to a patient only with his/her free and informed consent, unless otherwise provided by Act No 372/2011 Coll. on Health Services and Conditions of their Provision.
The patient has the right to the provision of health services at an appropriate professional level.
In addition, when providing health services, the patient has the right to:
- respect, dignified treatment, consideration and respect and privacy,
- choice of health service provider,
- to request the consultative services of another provider ('second opinion'),
- to be familiar with the 'internal rules' and other regulations relating to the health service provision regime,
- the continuous presence of a legal guardian, foster parent or person entrusted with the patient's care; the continuous presence of a guardian in the case of a patient with limited capacity; the presence of a relative or a person designated by the patient,
- to be informed of the cost of services not or partially covered by public health insurance and of the method of payment, if his/her state of health so permits,
- to know the name, where appropriate, of all staff directly involved in the provision of health services,
- refuse the presence of persons not directly involved in the provision of health services, including students,
- to receive visitors in accordance with his/her state of health, in accordance with the internal rules and with respect for the privacy and rights of other patients,
- to receive spiritual care,
- to the provision of health services in the least restrictive environment while ensuring the quality and safety of the services provided,
- to receive information about other services and possible social services that may lead to the improvement of his/her current or future health status.
Patient's responsibilities
The patient (legal representative, guardian) is obliged to
- The patient (legal representative, guardian) is obliged to provide health services
- comply with the proposed individual treatment procedure if he/she has consented to the provision of health services,
- follow the internal rules,
- pay the cost of the health services provided to him/her, not covered or partially covered by public health insurance or other sources, which were provided with his/her consent,
- truthfully inform the treating health care professional about the current state of health, including information about infectious diseases, health services provided by other providers, use of medicines, including substance abuse, and other facts relevant to the provision of health care services,
- not consume alcohol or other addictive substances during hospitalization and, at the discretion of the attending physician, undergo testing to determine whether or not he or she is under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances, if warranted.
Proof of identity
The patient, the patient's legal representative or guardian, a close relative or a person in the same household shall be obliged to provide proof of identity by means of an identity card at the request of a healthcare professional. A person who claims the right to health information shall also be obliged to provide proof of identity. If the patient, legal representative or guardian refuses to provide proof of identity, the hospital may refuse to provide the requested assistance or health service, unless the patient is a patient in need of emergency care.
The Code of Conduct for Patients' Rights was developed in relation to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. Patients' Rights were proclaimed by the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic on 25 February 1992.
