Does anyone know whether it is legal for a doctor to withhold information about your illness.?


Question:
My husband was released from a hospital with two 'super' bug infections and there was no mention of either one of them to us or the facility he was released to for 'rehab'.

Answers:
THis does not sound like a very ethical MD. MDs can withhold information from the patient under special circumstances - for example, if the patient has a history of mental illness and disclosure of information would not be in the patient's best interest - then yes, absolutely, he/she can withhold this information.
As for the "Super" bug infections, bad call on his part. there is a thing called "informed consent" - basically, the patient should be presented with all the pertinent, relevant information about his condition, the treatment options available and the risks and benefits of accepting or declining such treatments. I would return to that MD and ask for an explanation. A good practitioner will be willing to provide you with the answers.
As for the rehab facility, I am surprised that they did not pick this up on the initial referral. The case mgr who accepts patients in the rehab facility would definitely want to know this information. they most likely would not want to accept a patient with an active infection and risk exposing other clients in the facility. Again,
go back to the hospital practitioner and get some answers. IT IS YOUR HUSBAND's RIGHT!

Source(s):
RN/risk manager

4 days ago - Report Abuse



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