Patient Bill of Rights in Wound Care: Advocating for Patient Centered Wound Care

In the November 2017 issue of the Journal of Wound Care, the article "Patient-centred care: a call to action for wound management" examines healthcare around the globe and emphasizes the critical importance of adopting a patient-centered approach in wound care. Fran Valle from the University of Maryland provides an overview of the Patient Bill of Rights in Wound Management.

Wound Care Bill of Rights

The Patient Bill of Rights outlined in the article underscores the essential rights that every individual receiving wound care should be afforded. These rights include:

• Involvement in Care Decisions: Patients must be fully informed and actively involved in decisions about their wound care treatment plans. This empowers them to take ownership of their health and fosters collaboration with healthcare providers.

• Access to Information: Transparency is key. Patients have the right to receive clear, concise, and accurate information about their condition, treatment options, and potential outcomes.

• Dignity and Respect: Wound care, often overlooked or under-prioritized, must be provided in a way that respects the patient's dignity, ensuring they feel valued and heard throughout their care journey.

• Right to Advocacy: Many patients, especially those with chronic wounds, may struggle to advocate for themselves due to physical or emotional vulnerabilities. The article emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to serve as advocates, ensuring patients receive equitable and appropriate care.

Why the Patient Bill of Rights Matters in Wound Care

For individuals with chronic wounds, particularly the elderly, the Patient Bill of Rights acts as a safeguard against neglect or insufficient care. It shifts the focus from treating wounds in isolation to addressing the patient’s holistic needs—physical, emotional, and social. By prioritizing these rights, wound care professionals can improve outcomes, build trust, and ensure that every patient receives the high-quality care they deserve.

Advocacy in Action

The article calls for healthcare organizations and providers to integrate the Patient Bill of Rights into their wound care protocols, creating systems that respect and uphold these rights. Advocacy begins with listening to patients, involving their families, and creating a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.

US Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (2015)

The Wound Care Patient's Bill of Rights.

Patients have a right to :

1. Actively participate as a member of the wound care team if able and willing to do so

2. Have their wound assessed and monitored by trained healthcare personnel

3. Know what treatment options are available

4. Know the benefits, risks and side effects of wound care treatments

5. Receive timely and cost-effective treatment

6. Have the wound treated with safe and effective products

7. Have their pain adequately controlled

8. Seek other opinions about their wound treatment and to consult specialists as necessary

9. Consult other healthcare professionals for advice about diet, exercise, therapy or products