3544

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 857

BE PRESENT. PERSONAL AND MEDICAL RECORDS SHALL BE
TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND THE CONSENT OF THE PATIENT OR
RESIDENT SHALL BE OBTAINED FOR THEIR RELEASE TO ANY
INDIVIDUAL OUTSIDE THE FACILITY, EXCEPT AS NEEDED IN CASE
OF THE PATIENT'S TRANSFER TO ANOTHER HEALTH CARE
INSTITUTION OR AS REQUIRED BY LAW OR THIRD PARTY PAYMENT
CONTRACT, OR TO ANY INDIVIDUAL INSIDE THE FACILITY WHO
HAS NO DEMONSTRABLE NEED FOR SUCH RECORDS;

(7)    [Every patient and resident shall have
the right to certain information as to any relationship
of the facility to other health care and related
institutions insofar as his care is concerned; and]
EVERY PATIENT AND RESIDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE, AND FREE FROM CHEMICAL AND
PHYSICAL RESTRAINTS EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY A PHYSICIAN
ACCORDING TO CLEAR AND INDICATED MEDICAL NEED.

(8)    [The patient and resident have the right
to expect reasonable continuity of care which shall
include, but not be limited to, what appointment times
and physicians are available.] EVERY PATIENT AND
RESIDENT SHALL RECEIVE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR OR STAFF OF
THE FACILITY A REASONABLE RESPONSE TO HIS REQUESTS;

(9)    [Every patient and resident shall have
the right to have unrestricted communication with any
person or persons of his choice, including but not
limited to physicians, attorneys, clergymen, at any
reasonable hour.] EVERY PATIENT AND RESIDENT SHALL BE
PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION AS TO ANY RELATIONSHIP OF THE
FACILITY TO OTHER HEALTH CARE AND RELATED INSTITUTIONS
INSOFAR, AS THE PATIENT'S CARE IS CONCERNED;

(10)   [Every competent patient and resident
shall have the right to manage his own financial affairs
or if, at his request, the facility manages his financial
affairs, to have available for inspection a monthly
accounting and unrestricted access to his account at
reasonable hours.] EVERY PATIENT AND RESIDENT SHALL
RECEIVE REASONABLE CONTINUITY OF CARE WHICH SHALL
INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, WHAT APPOINTMENT TIMES
AND PHYSICIANS ARE AVAILABLE;

(11)   [Every patient and resident shall have
the right to present grievances on behalf of himself or
others to the facility's administration, governmental
agencies, or other appropriate persons without fear of
reprisal.] EVERY PATIENT AND RESIDENT MAY ASSOCIATE AND
COMMUNICATE PRIVATELY AND WITHOUT RESTRICTION WITH
PERSONS AND GROUPS OF HIS CHOICE ON HIS OWN OR THEIR
INITIATIVE AT ANY REASONABLE HOUR; MAY SEND AND SHALL
RECEIVE MAIL PROMPTLY AND UNOPENED; SHALL HAVE ACCESS AT
ANY REASONABLE HOUR TO A TELEPHONE WHERE HE MAY SPEAK