UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to equal care for all our patients. Our Patient Non-Discrimination Policy was established to protect the well-being of every patient under our care.
Assessment of the patient's condition and preliminary emergency care will be rendered without regard to the patient’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture/creed, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
Ability to pay for certain accommodations, an individual's medical condition, and maintenance of the patient's medical condition will be considered in making inpatient room assignments and transfers. This policy is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to the Acts, Title 45 of Federal Regulations Part 80, 84 and 91. (Other federal laws and regulations provide similar protection against discrimination on grounds of sex and creed.)
The rights of patients are broadly addressed in one or more of the following: Patient Bill of Rights and Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Staff shall understand these patient rights and know their roles in supporting these rights, including but not limited to providing patients with copies of these statements (such as the Patient Bill of Rights and Notice of Privacy Practices) upon request.
- Staff shall know that these patient rights are equally accompanied by patient responsibilities and shall assist patients in understanding their responsibilities, when necessary.
- Staff shall know that the patient’s guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person has the right to exercise (to the extent permitted by law) the rights delineated on behalf of the patient. This exercise occurs under the following conditions when the patient has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with law; is found by his or her physician to be unable to understand the proposed treatment or procedure; is unable to communicate his or her wishes regarding treatment; or is a minor.
- Staff allows for the presence of a support individual of the patient’s choice, unless the support individual’s presence infringes on others’ rights or safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated. The support individual might or might not be the patient’s surrogate decision-maker or legally authorized representative. See CMS Interpretive guidelines: 482.13(a)(1).
- When a patient is incapacitated or otherwise unable to communicate his or her wishes and there is no written advance directive on file or presented, please refer to Hospital Policy 1-108: Advance Directive for further details.
