The Patient Rights ethical code was drafted by the Central Ethics Committee of the Czech Ministry of Health and approved after a consultation round. These Patient Rights came into force and effect on 25 February 1992.

1. Patients have the right to courteous and professional healthcare provided in an understanding manner by qualified personnel.
2. Patients have the right to know the name of the physician and other medical personnel providing treatment. They have the right to request a level of privacy and services within the capacity of the facility, as well as the right to meet with their family members and friends on a daily basis. Any restriction of these (continuous) visiting hours will only be imposed for good reason.
3. Patients have the right to adequate information from their physician enabling them to make an informed decision as to whether they agree to any new diagnostic or therapeutic procedure before it is initiated. With the exception of acute cases, they should be duly informed of any risks associated with the procedure to be carried out. Should alternative procedures exist, or should patients request to be informed of other treatment options, they have the right to receive this information. They also have the right to know the names of the people providing this treatment.
4. Within the limits permitted by relevant laws, patients have the right to refuse treatment and shall be informed of the medical consequences of this decision.
5. During outpatient and inpatient examinations, nursing care and treatment, patients have the right to the maximum consideration of their privacy and dignity during the treatment program. Case discussions, consultations, examinations and treatment are confidential matters and shall be conducted with discretion. Patients should approve the presence of persons who are not directly involved in their treatment, even in teaching hospitals, if they have not selected the persons themselves.
6. Patients have the right to expect that any reports and records relating to their treatment will be treated as confidential. Protection of patient records must be ensured, and this also applies to electronic versions.
7. Patients have the right to expect that the hospital, within its capacity, will adequately respond to their requests for treatment at a level reflecting their condition. Where necessary, patients may be transferred to another health care facility once they have been fully informed of the reasons for the necessity of the transfer and any other options that may be available. The institution to which a patient is being transferred must first approve the transfer.
8. Patients have the right to expect an appropriate level of the continuity of their treatment. They have the right to know beforehand which physicians they can call on, and the times and place they are available. On discharge they have the right to expect the hospital to establish a plan for follow-up care and to provide information on future treatment for their own practitioner.
9. Patients have the right to detailed and comprehensible explanations in the event that their physician decides to follow any non-standard or experimental procedures. An informed consent form signed by the patient is required before any non-therapeutic or therapeutic research is undertaken. Patients may withdraw from clinical trials at any time and without providing a reason as long as they have been properly informed of any medical consequences of such a decision.
10. Patients nearing the end of their lives have the right to sensitive care from all medical personnel who shall respect their wishes in cases where they do not conflict with the applicable legislation.
11. Patients have the right and responsibility to know and comply with the rules and regulations of the healthcare facility in which they are being treated (the Hospital Rules and Regulations). Patients shall have the right to check their bills and to request an explanation of its individual items regardless of the source of payment.