GHS contracted hospitals cannot unjustifiably avoid or refuse to provide services to patients due to their health condition, the complexity of the incident or their increased care needs.
This is emphasized by the Health Insurance Organization in a letter sent today to all the hospitals of the System, on the occasion of the recent complaints of Giorgos Pamporidis.
The HIO states that it intervened in this incident, taking the necessary actions to serve the patient and receive the required care and informs that it is proceeding with a change in the framework regarding the management and transport of patients from one hospital to another, pointing out that "the inconvenience of any patient in his attempt to receive the necessary health care is not acceptable".
No discrimination allowed
In its letter, the HIO reminds that hospitals and health professionals who provide services on their behalf must serve the beneficiaries without discrimination.
These include discrimination based on the patient's state of health.
If a service is included in those that the hospital has undertaken to offer within the framework of the GHS, it may not be unjustifiably avoided or rejected:
No discrimination allowed
In its letter, the HIO reminds that hospitals and health professionals who provide services on their behalf must serve the beneficiaries without discrimination.
These include discrimination based on the patient's state of health.
If a service is included in those that the hospital has undertaken to offer within the framework of the GHS, it may not be unjustifiably avoided or rejected:
Due to the health condition of the beneficiary.
Due to the increased difficulty of the incident.
Due to the complexity of its management.
Due to special or increased care needs.
The Agency also recalls that services must be provided on the basis of the applicable ethical rules, the duty and the intended level of diligence, as well as the requirements of professionalism and scientific competence.
Mandatory justification and documentation
When a hospital is unable for objective reasons to take over an incident, its decision must be sufficiently justified and documented.
The same obligation applies when, after the start of hospitalization, it is deemed necessary to interrupt the services provided and transfer the patient elsewhere.
In these cases, it is not enough for the hospital to inform that it is unable to continue care. It must take all necessary measures for the timely and appropriate referral of the beneficiary to another provider.
The new provider must have the required capability and adequacy to safely and effectively manage the incident to ensure, to the extent possible, continuity of care.
An average of 27,000 hospitalizations per month
According to the HIO, an average of 27,000 hospitalizations are carried out each month in the contracted hospitals of the GHS.
The cases involving the hospitalization of patients after their transfer from another hospital correspond to 1.4% of the total per month.
The Organization notes that in the vast majority of cases, the hospitalization and service of the beneficiaries are completed smoothly. It clarifies, however, that the evidence does not negate the seriousness of any single incident.
According to the HIO, the systematic monitoring of contracted hospitals allows the identification of specific weaknesses and the adoption of targeted corrective measures.
In conclusion, the HIO calls on hospitals to comply with their contractual and legislative obligations and to cooperate effectively when it is required to transfer or continue the care of a patient to another hospital.
As he emphasizes, cooperation is essential to ensure continuity, safety and quality of care.
