You can help protect your clients’ rights in the following ways:
- Watch for and report to your supervisor any signs of abuse or neglect.
- Involve clients in your planning.
- Always explain a procedure before performing it.
- Never abuse a client physically, psychologically, verbally, or sexually.
- Respect a client’s refusal of care and report the refusal to your supervisor immediately.
- Tell your supervisor if a client has questions about the goals of care or the care plan.
- Be truthful when documenting care.
- Do not talk or gossip about a client.
- Knock and ask permission before entering a client’s room.
- Do not open a client’s mail or look through his or her belongings.
- Do not accept gifts or money from a client.
- Respect your clients’ property.
- Report observations regarding a client’s condition or care.