Patient Rights and Advocacy Flashcards

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hospitals and healthcare facilities are required to provide qualified interpreters to patients who are:

Answer: Limited English proficient or deaf/hard of hearing

The ADA mandates that healthcare facilities provide effective communication, including qualified interpreters, for patients who are limited English proficient or have hearing disabilities.

Which federal law specifically prohibits healthcare providers who receive federal funding from discriminating against individuals based on national origin, which includes denial of language access services?

Answer: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin by recipients of federal funding, which courts have interpreted to require meaningful access for limited English proficient individuals.

A medical interpreter discovers that a patient has not been informed about their right to refuse treatment. The interpreter's most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Alert the healthcare provider that the patient may not be fully informed

The interpreter should alert the provider to the communication gap, as it is the provider's responsibility to inform the patient of their rights, not the interpreter's role to directly advocate.

Informed consent in a healthcare setting requires that a patient understands all of the following EXCEPT:

Answer: The financial cost of alternative treatments

Informed consent requires understanding of the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives of a treatment, but detailed financial cost comparison of alternatives is not a core legal element of informed consent.

When a patient's family member insists on interpreting for a LEP patient despite a qualified interpreter being available, the healthcare provider should:

Answer: Respect the patient's right to decide who interprets after explaining the risks

The patient has the right to choose their communication method; the provider should explain the risks of using an untrained interpreter and then respect the competent adult patient's informed decision.

The NBCMI Code of Ethics requires medical interpreters to maintain confidentiality. This obligation means the interpreter must:

Answer: Protect all patient information disclosed during interpreting assignments

Confidentiality requires that interpreters protect all patient information encountered during assignments, consistent with HIPAA and professional ethics standards.

A patient has the right to access their medical records under which federal law?

Answer: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA's Privacy Rule grants patients the right to access, inspect, and obtain copies of their medical records held by covered healthcare entities.