1. (a) Each facility shall adopt, implement, and enforce policies and procedures appropriate to the patient population served to ensure each patient is:

   1. (1) treated with respect, dignity, and full recognition of the patient's individuality and personal needs;
   2. (2) provided privacy and confidentiality for the patient and the patient's clinical record;
   3. (3) provided a safe, sanitary, and comfortable treatment environment;
   4. (4) provided information in a manner to facilitate understanding by the patient and the patient's legal representative, family member, or significant other, as applicable, including patient information materials available in the appropriate language;
   5. (5) provided an interpreter, interpreter service, or visual and hearing assistance if written materials in the patient's primary language are not available or not appropriate for the patient's needs;
   6. (6) informed by a physician of the patient's medical status;
   7. (7) informed of and provided education regarding all treatment modalities and settings, including self-care and transplant, for the treatment of end stage renal disease upon initiating treatment and an annual basis thereafter;
   8. (8) informed about and provided the opportunity to participate in all aspects of care, including plan of care meetings, the right to refuse treatment, and the medical consequences of such refusal;
   9. (9) informed of all services available in the facility and all charges for services provided;
   10. (10) informed about the facility's reuse of dialysis supplies, including hemodialyzers, and if printed materials such as brochures are used to describe a facility and its services the brochures shall contain a statement describing the methods and procedures used when such supplies are reused;
   11. (11) assured of a reasonable response by the facility to the patient's requests and needs for treatment or service, within the facility's capacity, the facility's stated mission, and applicable law and regulation;
   12. (12) provided hours of dialysis that are scheduled for patient convenience whenever feasible or possible, with consideration is given to the patient's work or school schedule;
   13. (13) transferred or discharged only for medical reasons, for the patient's welfare or that of other patients or staff members, or for nonpayment of fees; and given 30 calendar days advance notice in the event of a transfer or discharge, except in cases where the patient presents an immediate risk to others;
   14. (14) given an opportunity and assistance to improve problematic behavior before dismissal from the facility;
   15. (15) protected from abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
   16. (16) provided information regarding advance directives and allowed to formulate such directives to the extent permitted by law, including documents executed under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 166 (relating to Advance Directives);
   17. (17) fully informed on how to file a complaint against the facility without fear of reprisal or denial of services, including a written statement provided at the time of admission informing patients of their rights to make a complaint directly to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Complaint and Incident Intake;
   18. (18) fully informed of the rights listed in this section, the responsibilities established by the facility, and all rules and regulations governing patient conduct and responsibilities, including a written copy of the patient's rights and responsibilities provided upon admission to each patient or the patient's legally authorized representative; and
   19. (19) fully informed of the patient plan of care process, including the necessary services outlined in the patient plan of care.
2. (b) A facility shall prominently and conspicuously post a legible and current copy of the patient rights and facility license certificate in one or more public areas of the facility, so that the posting is readily available and observable to all facility patients, staff, and visitors.
3. (c) A facility shall obtain written informed consent for dialysis services from the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative.
4. (d) A facility shall not discriminate based on a patient's disability and shall comply with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161, Subchapter S (relating to Allocation of Kidneys and Other Organs Available for Transplant).

Source Note:The provisions of this §507.42 adopted to be effective December 23, 2025, 50 TexReg 8289.