1842                                      JOINT RESOLUTIONS

an appropriate person in his behalf. He has the right to know by name, the
physician responsible for coordinating his care.

3.   The patient has the right to receive from his physician information necessary
to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment.
Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent, should include but
not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure and/or treatment, the medically
significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation. Where
medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when the patient
requests information concerning medical alternatives, the patient has the right to
such information. The patient also has the right to know the name of the person
responsible for the procedures and/or treatment.

4.    The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law,
and to be informed of the medical consequences of his action.

5.   The patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy concerning his
own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and
treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly
involved in his care must have the permission of the patient to be present.

6.     The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records
pertaining to his care should be treated as confidential.

7.    The patient has the right to expect that within its capacity a hospital must
make reasonable response to the request of a patient for services. The hospital
must provide evaluation, service, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the
case. When medically permissible a patient may be transferred to another facility
only after he has received complete information and explanation concerning the
needs for and alternatives to such a transfer. The institution to which the patient is
to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer.

8.    The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of his
hospital to other health care and educational institutions insofar as his care is
concerned. The patient has the right to obtain information as to the existence of
any professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are treating him.

9.   The patient has the right to be advised if the hospital proposes to engage in
or perform human experimentation affecting his care or treatment. The patient has
the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.

10.    The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. He has
the right to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available
and where. The patient has the right to expect that the hospital will provide a
mechanism whereby he is informed by his physician or a delegate of the physician
of the patient's continuing health care requirements following discharge.

11.    The patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his bill
regardless of source of payment.

12.   The patient has the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply
to his conduct as a patient; now therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
hospitals of this State adopt and follow the "Patient's Bill of Rights" to insure the
type of treatment Marylanders deserve when they entrust themselves to our
hospitals for medical care; and be it further