Patient rights and responsibilities

Every patient, regardless of race, gender, age, language, religion, economic position or social status, has the following rights and responsibilities under Colombia’s Statutory Health Law (Law 1751 of 2015).

If your condition makes it hard to understand this information (for example, for children or some disabilities), we will explain it to a companion who can. It is also available in other languages, in sign language and in braille. Just ask at patient services.

Your rights

1. To access health services and technologies that guarantee comprehensive, timely, high-quality care.
2. To full, ongoing, explicit and clear communication with the health professional treating you.
3. To clear, appropriate and sufficient information from the health professional treating you, so you can make free, conscious and informed decisions about proposed procedures and their risks. No one can be forced to receive health treatment against their will.
4. To be treated with dignity, with respect for your beliefs, customs and conditions (disability, mental health, among others), and for your personal views on procedures.
5. To have your medical record treated as confidential, so that third parties can only see it with your authorization or as provided by law. You may also review your entire medical record free of charge and obtain a copy.
6. To receive quality care throughout your illness from properly trained and licensed health workers.
7. To timely access to the technologies and medicines you need.
8. To receive health services in hygienic, safe conditions that respect your privacy.
9. To privacy. All information you provide when accessing health services, and about your health conditions, is kept confidential, except where the law or the authorities allow your family to access it.
10. To be informed of the formal channels for filing complaints, grievances and suggestions, and for communicating with the institution’s management, and to receive a written response.
11. To request and receive explanations about the costs of the treatment you received.
12. To freely choose the health professional who treats you, among the available staff.

Your responsibilities

1. To look after your own health, your family’s and your community’s.
2. To follow the recommendations of health promotion and prevention programs in a timely manner.
3. To act in solidarity in situations that endanger people’s life or health.
4. To respect the staff who provide and manage health services.
5. To follow the rules of the health system.
6. To act in good faith toward the health system.
7. To provide timely and sufficient information needed for your care.
8. To contribute, according to your ability to pay, to the cost of health care and health social security.

Under Law 1751 of 2015, failing to meet these responsibilities can never be used to deny or restrict your timely access to the health services you need.

Children’s rights

1. To receive health care when ill.
2. To receive a clear explanation of their health condition and treatment.
3. To have their opinions heard and taken into account when their parents authorize treatment.
4. To be treated kindly, with understanding and respect.
5. To have their medical record kept safe and private, known only to their parents or legally authorized caregiver.
6. To receive care without discrimination based on their parents’ ideologies or beliefs.
7. To enjoy play, recreation and learning spaces during care.
8. To choose whether or not to take part in scientific research.
9. To have physical and emotional pain controlled during care.

Rights of patients with disabilities

1. Not to be discriminated against for any reason or in any situation.
2. To easy, barrier-free access to the institution.
3. To health care based on respect for difference and acceptance of diversity.
4. To receive information about their health condition in an appropriate form and through appropriate means.
5. To be protected from abuse while at the institution.
6. To respect for their privacy, dignity and autonomy.
7. To adequate and timely access to cardiovascular rehabilitation programs.
8. To be represented by a responsible person of their choice who supports them in decision-making, always in their best interest.

Rights of patients taking part in research studies

1. To be treated with respect.
2. To know the purpose of the study.
3. To know the different types of studies the institution conducts.
4. To withdraw from the study at any time.
5. To know who will have access to their information.
6. To know which procedures and medicines will be used during the study.
7. To ask for help or further explanations at any stage of the study.
8. To know the risks that may arise in the study.
9. To know the final results of the study.
10. To make decisions without any pressure from the researchers.

Do you feel any of your rights were not respected?

Tell us through our feedback form (in Spanish) or visit the patient services office (SIAU) at either of our locations. We will reply in writing.