Maarit Outinen, M.Sc.,

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PATIENTS RIGHTS IN FINLAND
ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004

• Maarit Outinen, M.Sc.,
• Senior Planning Officer
• STAKES, Quality of Services Group

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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
THE ACT ON THE STATUS AND RIGHTS OF THE PATIENTS
(1993) - consent of the patient, agreement to
the forms of treatment - information (if they
request) on their state, treatment, risks -
right to see and correct information entered in
their histories - those on a waiting list
reason and estimated duration - opinion of young
patients taken into account - a childs
parent/guardian not entitled to refuse treatment
that would risk or save the life of an underage
patient (continued)
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
DISSATISFIED PATIENTS ENTITLED TO LODGE A
COMPLAINT ESTABLISMENTS MUST HAVE A PATIENT
OMBUDSMAN Duties of the patient ombudsman - to
inform the patients of their rights - to assist
patients, if necessary, to complaint, appeal or
claime for indemnity Patients can submit a
complaint to 1. the director responsible for the
unit of care 2. the State Provincial Offices 3.
the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
THE ACT ON PATIENT INJURY (585/1986) - providers
of health care services must have a patient
insurance - safeguards the patients interests in
the event of malpractice - idemnity can be
claimed by the patient based on - personal
damage to the patient because of an error in
medical treatment, care or neglicence - failure
in the function of a medical device - infection
after treatment or care - accident in treatment -
fire in the location/devices - delivery of
medicines against the legislation -
sickness/disability/death following treatment or
care
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
AMOUNT OF CLAIMS COMPENSATED 1999 7215 1946 200
0 7023 2161 2001 7192 2128 2002 7125 2189 20
03 7565 2356 - feedback to the institutions
for qualit/risk management
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
ACT ON COMPENSATION OF DAMAGES ACT ON PRODUCT
LIABLITY - devices permanently attached to the
patients CONSUMER PROTECTION - concerns only
private health care services - municipal consumer
advisors
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
MEASURES ENSURING ACCESS TO TREATMENT - in the
Decision in Principle by the Council of State on
securing the future of health care 2002 - will
be embodied in legislation by the year 2005 1.
Access to an initial assesment by a primary
health care professional, normally a
physician, within three days of contacting
the service 2. Access to an assessment by an
outpatient department of a specialised health
care unit within three weeks of the issue of
a referral (continues)
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ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit Outinen
ACCESS TO TREATMENT (continued) 3. Access to
medically justified treatment within a
reasonable period, wich should normally be
within 3 and no later than 6 months 4. if
cannot be provided by at a facility maintained by
the local health centre ( hospital disrict
hospitals), must be procured from another
service provider at no extra charge to the
patient
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THE NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON HEALTH CARE
ETHICS (ETENE) - deals with ethical issues
related to health care and the status and
rights of patients from the point of view of
principle - can take initiatives and issue
opinions and recommendations on ethical health
care issues
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PATIENT PARTICIPATION IN FINLAND
ENQual workshop 2.-3.4.2004 Maarit
Outinen Stakes, Finland
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SITUATION AS BASED ON THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SURVEY IN 1999 - opinions of the managers of the
organisation! Participation of patients or
patient organisations in - evaluation of
achievement of quality targets 21 - development
of criteria 10 - quality committees 8
- quality improvement projects 10 -
development of protocols or quidelines 14