Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities

The Code of Ethics entitled “Patients’ Rights” was drafted, reviewed and subsequently finalised and approved by the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.

These Patients’ Rights were declared effective as of 25 February 1992.

Patients’ Rights

  1. The patient has the right to considerate and professional healthcare, provided with understanding by qualified healthcare professionals.
  2. The patient has the right to know the name of the doctor and other healthcare professionals involved in their care. The patient has the right to privacy and to services appropriate to the capabilities of the healthcare facility, as well as the opportunity to maintain daily contact with family members or friends. Restrictions on such continuous visits may be imposed only for serious reasons.
  3. The patient has the right to receive information from their doctor necessary to make an informed decision as to whether they consent to each new diagnostic or therapeutic procedure before it is commenced. Except in cases of an acute medical emergency, the patient should be properly informed of any risks associated with the proposed procedure. If several alternative procedures are available, or if the patient requests information about treatment alternatives, the patient has the right to be informed about them. The patient also has the right to know the names of the persons who will participate in such procedures.
  4. To the extent permitted by law, the patient has the right to refuse treatment and must at the same time be informed of the possible health consequences of such a decision.

During outpatient and inpatient examinations, procedures and treatment, the patient has the right to have their privacy and dignity respected to the greatest possible extent in connection with the treatment programme. Discussions of the patient’s case, consultations, examinations and treatment are confidential and must be carried out discreetly.

The presence of persons who are not directly involved in the patient’s treatment requires the patient’s consent, including in teaching hospitals and other teaching healthcare facilities, unless the patient has personally chosen the presence of such persons.

  1. The patient has the right to expect that all reports and records relating to their treatment will be treated as confidential. The protection of patient information must also be ensured when such information is processed electronically.
  2. The patient has the right to expect that, within its capabilities, the healthcare facility will reasonably accommodate the patient’s requests for care to an extent appropriate to the nature of the patient’s condition.

Where necessary, the patient may be transferred or transported to another healthcare facility after receiving a full explanation and information regarding the necessity of such transfer and the available alternatives. The institution that is to assume responsibility for the patient’s care must approve the transfer in advance.

  1. The patient has the right to expect that their treatment will be provided with appropriate continuity of care. The patient has the right to know in advance which doctors are available to them, during which consultation hours and at which location.

After discharge, the patient has the right to expect that the healthcare facility will determine a procedure ensuring that the patient’s doctor receives the information necessary for the continuation of their care.

  1. The patient has the right to a detailed explanation in a form they can understand if the doctor decides to use a non-standard procedure or experimental treatment.

The patient’s written informed consent is required before any therapeutic or non-therapeutic research may begin. The patient may withdraw from an experiment or research programme at any time and without giving a reason, provided that they have been informed of any possible health consequences of such a decision.

  1. A patient at the end of life has the right to sensitive and compassionate care from all healthcare professionals, who must respect the patient’s wishes provided that such wishes are not contrary to applicable law.

The patient has both the right and the responsibility to be familiar with and comply with the applicable internal rules of the healthcare institution in which they are receiving treatment.

The patient has the right to review their bill and request an explanation of individual charges, regardless of who is responsible for paying the bill.

Patients’ Responsibilities Pursuant to Section 41 of Act No. 372/2011 Coll., on Health Services and the Conditions of Their Provision

  1. When receiving healthcare services, the patient is required to:
    1. comply with the proposed individual treatment plan, provided that the patient has consented to the provision of healthcare services,
    2. comply with the Internal Rules of the Clinic,
    3. pay the healthcare provider the cost of healthcare services not covered, or only partially covered, by public health insurance or other sources, where such services have been provided with the patient’s consent,
    4. truthfully inform the attending healthcare professional about the development of their health condition to date, including information about infectious and communicable diseases, healthcare services provided by other healthcare providers, the use of medicinal products, including the use of addictive substances, and any other circumstances relevant to the provision of healthcare services,
    5. refrain from consuming alcohol or other addictive substances during hospitalisation and, where justified and upon the decision of the attending physician, undergo testing to determine whether they are under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances.
  2. The obligations referred to in points c) and d) apply to the patient’s legal representative or guardian where applicable. The patient’s legal representative or guardian is required to create the conditions necessary for the patient to fulfil their obligations.
  3. The patient, the patient’s legal representative or guardian, a person designated by the patient, a person close to the patient, or a person living in the same household must prove their identity by presenting an identity card if requested to do so by the healthcare provider or by a healthcare professional through whom the provider supplies healthcare services to the patient.

The obligation to prove identity by presenting an identity card also applies to any person exercising, under this Act or another legal regulation, the right to receive information about the patient’s health condition, as well as to any person wishing to visit a hospitalised patient who is not one of the persons specified in the preceding sentence.

In the case of a foreign national, identity shall be verified by means of a passport or another identity document.

If a healthcare professional has doubts as to whether a person qualifies as a person close to the patient, that person shall confirm this fact by means of a statutory declaration stating their contact details and identity document number. The statutory declaration will form part of the patient’s medical records.

  1. If the patient, the patient’s legal representative or guardian refuses to prove their identity, the healthcare provider or healthcare professional may refuse to provide healthcare services, unless the patient requires urgent medical care.

If a person designated by the patient, a person close to the patient, or a person living in the same household refuses to prove their identity, the healthcare provider or healthcare professional may refuse to provide that person with the requested cooperation or may refuse to allow them to visit a hospitalised patient.

This does not apply if the patient confirms the person’s identity. If a visit is refused, the healthcare provider or healthcare professional must immediately inform the hospitalised patient, or do so as soon as the patient’s health condition allows such information to be communicated.