The goal of The Joint Commission (TJC) and National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) Patient Rights standards is to improve care and services while recognizing and respecting the rights of individuals. Standards address the issues of informed consent, end of life care, resolution of complaints, management of pain, restraints, language and communication, and the patient's right to refuse care, treatment and services.

Patients are entitled to these fundamental rights that respect and protect their dignity, cultural, psychosocial and spiritual values. Although faced with time constraints in the busy healthcare environment, staff should make every effort to ensure that patients have received, and are knowledgeable about, their rights when they are admitted to the hospital. Understanding these rights can be an important part in the overall outcome of care.

With the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Manual, all Joint Commission and NIAHO standards are addressed in comprehensive policies, procedures, plans, worksheets and other helpful compliance documents.