Florida’s law concerning general medical care does not differ considerably from state laws. According to the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, health care providers are to respect the rights of patients; however, patients are also expected to respect the rights and regulations of healthcare facilities (Florida Statutes, 2019b).
Patients have the right to be treated with respect, receive prompt answers to their questions, and know about their diagnoses and course of treatment, (Florida Statutes, 2019b). However, patients are responsible for keeping appointments, providing holistic information about their condition, and assuring financial obligations. Patients or their legal representatives are to sign informed consent for their treatment or decline the treatment (Florida Statutes, 2019b).
Patients under 18 can sign informed consents without parental approval only in case of removal of their disability provisioned by Chapter 743 of 2019 Florida Statutes (Florida Statutes, 2019a) Confidentiality laws are also applied to disclosure of health information, which means that care providers cannot disclose patient information unless they are legally obliged to do so (Florida Hospital Association, 2016). Care providers are to disclose all healthcare information to parents and guardians of patients under 18 if children’s disability is not removed by law.
References
Florida Hospital Association. (2016). HIPAA requirements and Florida law. Web.
Florida Statutes. (2019a). Disability of nonage of minors removed. Web.
Florida Statutes (2019b). Florida patient’s bill of rights and responsibilities. Web.