Development of charter of rights in medical diagnostic laboratories

Medical laboratory services and its clients are somehow different from services of the other sectors in the health system. Patient’s Rights Charter، published by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education، was comprehensive، but addressing specific aspects of the related areas in medical laboratories could promote the commitment and dedication in laboratory professional services; hence، development of the Patient’s Rights Charter in medical diagnostic laboratories was put on the agenda. After a comprehensive review of existing references and resources، a committee was formed consisting of representatives of laboratory associations and experts in this field، and the draft was prepared. Thereafter several meetings and workshops were held and the members of legal organizations، medical ethics experts as well as laboratory stakeholders، technical staff and laboratory directors attended these gatherings where the draft was surveyed and comments were received. The draft underwent some changes and was edited. Finally in August 2012، the charter was approved by the Health Policy Council of the ministry and in October 2012 was officially announced by the health minister. To be consistent with the context of the Patient’s Rights Charter، essentials of this bill have been based on 5 pillars: access to appropriate laboratory services، access to information in a sufficient and effective manner، the right to choose and decide freely، respect for customer privacy and the principles of confidentiality and integrity، and availability of an efficient system for investigating complaints and suggestions. Developing and delivering the bill of rights for health services recipients is one of the foremost matters، but implementation of the provisions of the charter and monitoring of its effectiveness are the most important goals ahead. Therefore، an effective strategy to implement the rights of patients in medical laboratories should be designed and established.