Request to be Excused from Patient Care Responsibility

Introduction

Date of Last Review 5/7/07
SME: Director of Personnel Systems Management

This topic provides a mechanism for addressing an employee's request to be excused from patient care responsibilities that conflict with the employee's cultural or religious beliefs.

Policy

UTHCPC is committed to providing high quality patient care and ensuring that patient care and treatment are not negatively affected or compromised. UTHCPC is dedicated to providing care and treatment to all patients regardless of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, color, sex, or disability.

Audience

The information in this topic applies to all UTHCPC staff regardless of classification, status, or job title.

Grounds

An employee may request to be excused from participating in an aspect of patient care or treatment due to cultural values, ethics, or religious beliefs. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

Escorting a patient to another facility for an abortion

Approval

A Supervisor may approve or deny an employee's request after evaluating whether or not making such accommodations will negatively affect the care of the patient.

Emergencies

UTHCPC expects employees to continue providing the patient care or treatment until the supervisor can make a decision regarding the request, in the event of an emergency.

Request/approval process

This table describes the request and approval process:

Stage	Description
1	The supervisor attempts to anticipate the environment and areas of patient care in his/her department.
2	The supervisor informs the employee of the anticipated environment and area of patient care prior to employment. Note: The supervisor also notifies the employee of changes in these areas subsequent to employment.
3	The employee specifies the following on the Staff Rights Special Request Form: The specific patient care or treatment issue The cultural value, sense of ethics, or religious beliefs in conflict
4	The employee submits the UTHCPC Staff Rights Special Request form to his/her immediate supervisor.
5	The supervisor reviews the situation. Assistance available: The supervisor may discuss problems with the Ethics Committee.
6	The supervisor uses this table to determine what to do with the form: WHEN the supervisor... THEN the supervisor notes the... Approves the request Approval on the Staff Rights Special Request form and reassigns the employee. The process is complete. Denies the request Reason for denial on the Staff Rights and Special Request form and informs the employee of his/her decision.
7	The employee uses this table to determine what happens next: WHEN the employee... THEN the... Agrees to accept the supervisor's decision Employee continues to provide patient care and treatment. Refuses to provide patient care and treatment   Supervisor initiates disciplinary action. May include: Suspension or immediate termination of employment. Decides to appeal the supervisor's decision Employee appeals to the Hospital Administrator. Result: The Administrator makes a final determination.

Related standard

The Joint Commission Human Resources Standards

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