In order to enhance the quality of care provided to its residents, the state of Tennessee encourages the sharing of information across providers, and does not impose confidentiality requirements on communications between health care providers treating the same patient.1

        Tennessee also protects the rights of patients to participate in their own care planning and management by granting them the right to refuse treatment, to select their own personal physician and to participate with their providers in the selection and planning of the services they receive.  Additionally, providers must inform patients about their own condition, including their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment options and progress.   These enumerated rights apply to nursing home residents, 2 dental patients, 3 hospital patients,4 and ambulatory surgical center patients.5

        Patients in nursing homes,6 hospitals,7 and ambulatory care centers8 also have the right to authorize another individual to make health care decisions on their behalf in cases of incapacity or incompetence.