Respect and Consideration-Apatient has the responsibility to be considerate of the rights of other patients and MTF or DTF healthcare personnel, and to assist in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the facility.

Compliance with Medical Care-A patient is responsible for complying with the medical and nursing treatment plan, including followup care recommended by healthcare providers.

Medical Records-Apatient is responsible for ensuring that medical records are promptly returned to the medical facility for appropriate filing and maintenance when those records are transported by the patient for the purpose of medical appointments or consultation, etc.

MTF and DTF Rules and Regulations-A patient is responsible for following the MTF or DTF rules and regulations affecting patient care.

Reporting of Patient Complaints-Apatient is responsible for helping the MTF or DTF commander provide the best possible care to all beneficiaries. The patient's recommendations, questions, or complaints should be reported to the patient contact representative.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the key elements of professional practice.

Each member of the healthcare team has specific responsibilities and limitations that define his area of practice. To fulfill your role as a member of the Hospital Corps within the context of the total mission of the Navy Medical Department, it is imperative that your practice be based on a sound body of knowledge and the development of well-defined technical skills. The rate training manual (TRAMAN) contributes to the development of your body of knowledge. The HM occupational standards (NAVPERS 18068F, chapter 40) define minimal technical skills required of a Hospital Corpsman. As a member of the healthcare team, the mechanism of on-the-job training, in-service classes, and continuing education programs contribute significantly to your continued growth in both healthcare knowledge and skills.

PROFESSIONAL LIMITATIONS
In conjunction with their professional
responsibilities, all healthcare providers should realize that they are subject to certain limitations in providing healthcare services. These standards of practice are based on the amount and kind of education, training, experience, local regulations, and guidelines possessed by the healthcare provider. The mature, responsible individual will recognize, accept, and demand that these limitations be respected. In clinical settings, Hospital Corpsmen are tasked with administering medication, performing treatments, and providing individual patient care in compliance with the orders of the senior healthcare provider. In the hospital and some clinical environments, a Nurse Corps officer divides and delegates portions of the patient's care to other members of the team based on the skills and experiences of each member. In situations where a Nurse Corps officer is not a member of the team, such delegation of duties will generally be made by an experienced chief petty officer or a senior petty officer of the Hospital Corps.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Regardless of rank, rate, or corps membership, all members of the healthcare team are held accountable for their performance. Being accountable means being held responsible for your actions. As a healthcare provider, you should continue to acquire new knowledge and skills and to strive for clinical competency. Equally important is your ability to apply new knowledge and acquired skills as a competent professional in providing total healthcare.

Accountability becomes a critical issue when determining issues of malpractice. Malpractice occurs when an individual delivers improper care because of negligence or practicing outside of his area of expertise. Because the areas of expertise and responsibility in medicine frequently overlap, legal limits of practice are defined by each state. The assignments and responsibilities of Hospital Corpsmen frequently include areas of practice usually provided by physicians and nurses in the civilian sector. These responsibilities are only legal when Hospital Corpsmen are performing such duties while under the authority of the United States Government. Because of this requirement, it is vital that you thoroughly understand your legal rights and limitations when providing patient care services both in government and civilian sectors.

PATIENT ADVICE
Another area that has potential medical and legal implications regarding your role as a healthcare provider is that of giving advice or opinions. As a result of your frequent and close contact with patients, you will often be asked your opinion of the care or the proposed care a patient is undergoing. Often, these questions are extremely difficult to respond to, regardless of who the healthcare provider is. No one is ever totally prepared or has so much wisdom that he can respond spontaneously in such situations. In such cases, it is best to refer the question to the nurse or physician responsible for the patient's care.

You must always be conscious that you are seen as a representative of Navy medicine by the recipients of your care. As such, you will be accorded the respect that goes with having a specialized body of knowledge and an inventory of unique skills. A caduceus on the sleeve of the Hospital Corpsman marks that person as a member of a prestigious corps worthy of respect.

PATIENT BEHAVIOR
Remember, you have been charged to provide care to a total, feeling, human person. The person seeking healthcare service has the same needs for security, safety, love, respect, and self-fulfillment as everyone else. When something threatens the soundness of the body, mind, or spirit, an individual may behave inappropriately. Occasionally, there are temper outbursts, episodes of pouting, sarcastic remarks, unreasonable demands, or other inappropriate responses, often to the point of disruptive behavior. The healthcare provider is challenged to look beyond the behavior being displayed to identify the underlying stress and to attempt to relieve the immediate and obvious source of anxiety. This may be as simple as communicating, through your care and understanding of the patient as an individual, that Navy medicine is pleased to provide a caring service.