(DailyChive.com) – The Milford Regional Medical Center in Massachusetts has cautioned patients, warning that using inappropriate body language or tone of voice could result in a denial of medical care.
Dr. Peter Smulowitz, the chief medical officer of Milford Regional Medical Center, outlined the updated patient conduct policy in a video message, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to maintaining a safe, caring, and “inclusive environment.”
While the hospital clearly deems actions such as racism, discrimination, and harassment as unacceptable, the inclusion of “body language” and “tone of voice” as potential grounds for denying care has got tongues wagging.
The hospital’s website details examples of prohibited behavior, including offensive comments based on race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Additionally, violations include refusing to see a clinician due to personal traits and displaying aggression or intimidation.
However, concerns arise over the possibility of denying care based on subjective interpretations of body language and tone. Critics argue that this policy opens the door for potential bias and discriminatory treatment, particularly towards individuals with cultural differences or communication challenges. The policy also states that repeated violations could lead to a review of future non-emergency care and visitation rights, raising questions about the appeals process and the potential for inconsistent application.
The announcement triggered online outrage, with many expressing concerns about the potential for discrimination and questioning the validity of judging medical care based on subjective factors like body language. The controversy surrounding Milford Regional’s policy is further intensified by its timing, as it came just days before the hospital’s formal affiliation with UMass Memorial Health, the largest non-profit healthcare system in Central Massachusetts, which has its own patient code of conduct with similar language.
Moreover, this is not an isolated incident because in 2022, Mass General Brigham, a prominent Boston hospital, implemented a similar policy allowing for the denial of care for unacceptable behavior, explicitly stating that disrespectful, racist, discriminatory, hostile, or harassing words or actions are not allowed. The hospital’s policy emphasized that violations of this code may prompt patients to arrange alternative care plans.
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