968

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

(II) KEEP THE RESIDENT'S WRITTEN
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THAT CONSENT.

(3)  THE RESIDENT SHALL RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT
THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE FACILITY TO OTHER HEALTH CARE
INSTITUTIONS IF THE INFORMATION RELATES TO THE CARE OF THE
RESIDENT.

(4)  THE RESIDENT SHALL RECEIVE REASONABLE
CONTINUITY OF CARE, INCLUDING INFORMATION AS TO THE
AVAILABILITY OF PHYSICIANS AND TIMES FOR MEDICAL
APPOINTMENTS.

(E)  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

(1)  ANY CASE DISCUSSION, CONSULTATION,
EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT OF A RESIDENT OF A FACILITY:

(I)  IS CONFIDENTIAL;

(II)  IS TO BE DONE DISCREETLY; AND

(III)  IS NOT OPEN TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
NOT INVOLVED DIRECTLY IN THE CARE OF THE RESIDENT UNLESS THE
RESIDENT PERMITS THE INDIVIDUAL TO BE PRESENT.

(2)  EXCEPT AS NECESSARY FOR THE TRANSFER OF A
RESIDENT FROM THE FACILITY TO ANOTHER HEALTH CARE
INSTITUTION OR AS REQUIRED BY LAW OR A THIRD PARTY PAYMENT
CONTRACT, THE PERSONAL AND MEDICAL RECORDS OF A RESIDENT ARE
CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY NOT BE RELEASED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF
THE RESIDENT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO:

(I)  IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACILITY;
OR

(II)  IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACILITY, BUT
DOES NOT HAVE A DEMONSTRATED NEED FOR THE INFORMATION.

(F)  SPOUSES.

IF IT IS FEASIBLE TO DO SO AND NOT MEDICALLY
CONTRAINDICATED, SPOUSES WHO ARE BOTH RESIDENTS OF THE
FACILITY SHALL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A ROOM.

(G)  GRIEVANCES.

A RESIDENT OF A FACILITY ALONE OR WITH OTHER
INDIVIDUALS IS ENTITLED TO PRESENT ANY GRIEVANCE OR
RECOMMEND A CHANGE IN A POLICY OR SERVICE TO THE STAFF OR
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FACILITY, THE STATE OFFICE ON AGING, OR
ANY OTHER PERSON, WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL, RESTRAINT,
INTERFERENCE, COERCION, OR DISCRIMINATION.