Kerala High Court Orders Transparency: Hospitals Must Display Services, Rates, and Ambulance Information
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant directive requiring all public and private hospitals across the state to prominently display available services, treatment charges, and ambulance details at the reception area. This judgment aims to promote transparency, prevent overcharging, and empower patients with clear information before availing of any medical service.
This directive follows concerns about inconsistent billing, hidden charges, lack of clarity regarding emergency transportation, and limited information available to patients during critical medical situations.
What the Court Ordered
The High Court outlined a series of mandatory guidelines for hospitals:
1. Mandatory Display of Medical Services
Hospitals must list all available specialties, OP and IP services, diagnostic facilities, ICU units, and emergency care options in a clear and readable format at the main entrance or reception.
2. Clear Display of Treatment Rates
Charges for consultations, room rent, ICU care, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and other major treatments should be presented transparently to avoid confusion or inflated billing.
3. Ambulance Information Must Be Visible
Hospitals must provide complete details of ambulance services, including:
Contact numbers
Availability
Basic and advanced life support options
Standardized charges
4. Grievance Redressal System
A dedicated contact number and details of the patient grievance officer must also be displayed.
5. Regular Updates Required
Hospitals must ensure the display boards are regularly updated to reflect any change in services or prices.
Why This Matters for Patients
Patients in Kerala often face stress due to unclear billing and lack of information during medical emergencies. With this directive:
They can compare costs more easily.
They can avoid unnecessary charges.
They can access ambulance services faster.
They receive clarity on hospital facilities before admission.
This ruling strengthens patient rights and ensures a more transparent healthcare ecosystem.
Impact on Hospitals
Hospitals are now responsible for:
Setting up standardized information boards
Maintaining updated pricing
Ensuring full compliance to avoid legal consequences
This move is expected to improve trust between hospitals and patients and streamline communication at the reception level.
FAQ Section
1. Why did the Kerala High Court issue this directive?
The court acted after reports of inconsistent billing practices, lack of transparency, and poor information availability for patients seeking urgent care.
2. Which hospitals must follow the guidelines?
The directives apply to all public and private hospitals operating within Kerala.
3. What happens if hospitals fail to comply?
Non-compliance may lead to legal action, inspections, warnings, or other penalties as mandated by state authorities.
4. Will treatment costs become more standardised?
While full standardisation may take time, mandatory display of charges ensures greater transparency and reduces arbitrary pricing.
5. Are ambulance charges controlled by the court?
The court has mandated disclosure, not price fixing. However, transparency may lead to more reasonable pricing.
source credit : Ashish Shaji
Published on : 27TH November
Published by : SARANYA
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