The topic of mistreatment in hospital is a delicate and complex topic that concerns all those who have to face hospitalization or a healthcare service. The violation of human rights and the lack of respect for the dignity of the patient are unacceptable behaviors that, unfortunately, can still occur within healthcare facilities. For this reason, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of possible mistreatment, what procedures to follow to report it, who to go to for support, and what are the consequences for the healthcare personnel who commit these violations. In addition, it is also essential to discuss how to prevent these episodes through staff training and patient awareness
.
Hospital abuse: what are they and how to recognize them?
Hospital mistreatment can take different forms and can be perpetrated by any member of the healthcare staff. Among the most common behaviors are the violation of privacy, insulting or denigrating the patient, discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity, the failure to provide necessary treatment, the denial of food or water, and physical violence. Recognizing these behaviors is essential to be able to act promptly and prevent further abuse. It is important to pay attention to any changes in the patient’s mood, to his fear or anxiety during hospitalization, to the lack of respect for him by the healthcare staff, to skin lesions, or to signs of physical violence. Any sign that could suggest the suspicion of possible mistreatment must be taken seriously and brought to the attention of the
competent authorities.
How to report mistreatment in the hospital: the procedures to follow
The reporting of ill-treatment in hospital must be made in accordance with the procedures established by law. First, the patient or his family members can submit a written complaint to the hospital’s health director’s office, stating precisely the nature of the mistreatment suffered and the circumstances in which it occurred. Alternatively, you can contact the Patients’ Rights Commission at the local ASL or to the Order of Physicians. It is essential to keep any evidence useful for the reconstruction of events, such as medical reports, photographs or testimonies of any witnesses. The complaint can also be submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, if it is suspected that the mistreatment may constitute a criminal offence. Finally, it is important to emphasize that the reporting of mistreatment does not involve any form of retaliation by healthcare personnel against the patient and that the latter has the right to obtain free legal assistance to protect their
rights.
Who to contact to report mistreatment in the hospital
The complaint of ill-treatment in hospital can be submitted to different authorities, depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of the illegal behavior suffered. First, you can go to the hospital’s health director’s office, who is responsible for receiving patient complaints and taking any corrective measures to prevent further abuse. Alternatively, the patient or his family members can contact the Patients’ Rights Commission at the reference ASL, which is responsible for protecting the rights of citizens in the field of healthcare. In more serious cases, it is possible to contact the Public Prosecutor’s Office or the Order of Physicians to report the illegitimate behavior of healthcare personnel. Finally, there are voluntary associations that offer support to patients who are victims of mistreatment in the hospital, providing information on the procedures to follow and free legal assistance to protect
their rights.
What are the consequences for healthcare workers who commit mistreatment?
Healthcare personnel who mistreat patients may be subject to different forms of sanction, depending on the severity of the illegal behavior. First, the responsible doctor or nurse may be suspended from service or transferred to another health facility, if the violation of the ethical and deontological norms that regulate the healthcare profession is ascertained. In more serious cases, the personnel involved may be reported to the judicial authorities and subjected to criminal prosecution for personal injury, abuse of office, or violation of human rights. In addition, the doctor or nurse may be subject to disciplinary sanctions by the Professional Order to which they belong, such as the temporary or definitive suspension from exercising the profession or the imposition of financial fines. It is important to emphasize that the consequences for healthcare personnel who commit mistreatment are proportionate to the seriousness of the crime committed and that each case must be evaluated individually, while guaranteeing
respect for patients’ human rights.
How to prevent mistreatment in hospital: staff training and patient awareness
To prevent mistreatment in hospitals, it is essential to invest in the training of healthcare personnel and in raising patient awareness. Medical and nursing staff must be trained on the ethical and deontological rules that regulate the profession, on the importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of patients, as well as on the correct use of medical devices and treatment techniques. In addition, it is important to develop continuous training courses to constantly update staff on the new healthcare protocols and on the new technologies available. At the same time, it is necessary to make patients aware of their autonomy and the possibility of actively participating in decisions related to their health, encouraging greater communication between healthcare personnel and the patients themselves. Finally, it is possible to encourage the creation of health care control committees, composed of representatives of patients and healthcare personnel, in order to constantly monitor the quality of the care provided and prevent any episodes of mistreatment
.
In conclusion, reporting mistreatment in hospital represents a fundamental step to protect patients’ rights and prevent episodes of abuse by healthcare personnel. It is important to know the procedures to follow to file a complaint and who to contact for legal and psychological support. However, the fight against ill-treatment in hospital cannot be limited to the reporting of individual episodes, but requires a constant commitment to improving the quality of healthcare and to training medical and nursing staff. In addition, it is essential to make patients aware of their autonomy and their active role in taking care of their health, creating more effective communication paths between healthcare personnel and users. Only through joint and constant work can episodes of mistreatment in the hospital be prevented and the human rights of all patients are guaranteed.