Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient rights and responsibilities: partnership between patients and caregivers

Tokyo Adventist Hospital, together with the other institutions of the Adventist Medical Association Foundation, works to ensure that patients are treated with genuine respect as individuals under our philosophy, and can receive care with confidence, grounded in trust. Medicine is a shared undertaking built on trust between patient and caregiver, requiring the patient's own active participation. On this basis, we set out the following rights and responsibilities, and affirm our shared commitment to ideal care achieved through mutual cooperation.

1. The right to the best available care

Every patient, as an individual whose personality and values are respected, has the right to the best available care, achieved through cooperation with caregivers.

2. The right to be informed

Patients may receive a clear, satisfactory explanation of their diagnosis, condition, proposed treatment, likelihood of recovery, tests and their risks, and the effects and side effects of medication. Patients may also be informed of the expected and actual cost of treatment and any public assistance available, and may request disclosure of their own medical records.

3. The right to self-determination

Except in an emergency, patients have the right, after receiving sufficient information and professional advice, to consent to, choose, or decline a test or treatment according to their own wishes, and to know the likely medical consequences of that choice. Patients may also choose their treating physician, request a referral letter to move to another hospital, and seek another physician's opinion.

4. The right to privacy

Patients have the right not to have personal information disclosed to a third party beyond those directly involved in their care without consent, and the right not to have personal matters interfered with.

5. The shared responsibility to participate

To uphold these rights, patients share a responsibility to work together with caregivers, participating in and cooperating with their own care.

We ask patients to help us by

• Accurately sharing your health status, allergies, and medical history, for your own safety.
• Asking your doctor or nurse to explain anything about a treatment or test you do not fully understand, until you do.
• Stating your name and date of birth before an examination, test, injection, surgery, or procedure; a companion may do this on your behalf where needed.
• Wearing the name band provided during your stay as an inpatient.
• Letting a doctor or nurse know without hesitation if you would like a second opinion from another physician or hospital.
• Refraining from photography or video recording on hospital premises, as this could affect the privacy of others; this is generally not permitted.
• Telling us, through your ward or a comment form, about anything that concerns you.

Adventist Medical Association Foundation, Toshihiro Nishino, Chairman

Explanation and consent

For tests and treatment, some procedures are confirmed through a verbal explanation and consent, and others require formal written consent. Many of the items below are low-risk procedures that do not require a physician to be present, and are covered through verbal explanation and blanket consent so that care can proceed smoothly. Please ask your doctor or nurse about anything you are unsure of.

Covered under blanket consent

General examination items (history-taking, auscultation, palpation, percussion, visual examination, vital signs, hygiene care, rehabilitation, nutritional assessment and guidance); standard tests and monitoring (blood and urine tests, sputum and other microbiological tests, pathology and cytology, ECG, pulse wave, lung function, ultrasound, EEG, respiratory testing, plain and fluoroscopic X-ray, non-contrast CT, psychological testing, monitoring such as oxygen saturation, arterial pressure, ventilation, and BIS or neuromuscular monitors, skin tests such as tuberculin, allergy skin testing, and the blood screening for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV carried out before surgery, dialysis, or angiography); routine medication and injections (standard medication, injections, peripheral IV line placement, continuous subcutaneous line placement, oxygen administration); and routine procedures (suction, nasal catheters, urinary catheters, dental and oral care).

The delivery preparation room, MRI room, CT room, fluoroscopy room, infectious disease room, and emergency triage room are monitored by camera where clinically needed, for patient safety.

Team-based care

Beyond your primary department, staff such as our infection control team, nutrition support team, palliative care team, pressure-injury care team, discharge-support nurses, medical social workers, and chaplain may take part in your care as needed.

Medical interpreters

This hospital accepts international patients and provides multilingual guidance with attention to cultural and religious background. Where needed for smooth, safe care, a medical interpreter, including remote interpretation, may assist during your visit; we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Students and trainees

As a clinical training institution for healthcare professionals, students and trainees may take part in observation, practical training, or clinical placements under close supervision. We appreciate your understanding.

Religion and culture

We are attentive to each patient's religious and cultural background, though we may not always be able to accommodate a preference regarding the sex of the treating clinician or a religious dietary requirement.

Regional care coordination

As a core hospital for this community, we coordinate with other medical and care institutions and government bodies, and share necessary information. In particular, to support safe medication management, we may share a patient's medication history, side effect history, relevant test results, and medication counselling notes with community pharmacies and other institutions as needed.