59MDWI44-160 governs staff rights involving exclusion from certain aspects of patient treatment and care.
View 59MDWI44-160 on armypubs.army.mil
It addresses conflicts between patient care and staff members’ religious beliefs or personal values. It requires notification, written requests, supervisory decisions, escalation, and reasonable accommodations.
As permitted by the situation, this request must be communicated in writing by the staff member to the supervisor as soon as reasonably possible, but not longer than 24 hours after the initial notification. (paragraph 1)
The request must include the specific aspect(s) of treatment/care from which the employee is requesting to be excused and the reasons for making the request. (paragraph 1)
The staff member will deliver the written request to the first line supervisor who will keep a copy of the request and forward the original to the respective department chief. (paragraph 1)
If a satisfactory solution to a staff rights issue cannot be resolved at the level of the immediate supervisor, the issue should be raised to the next level supervisor (Medical Directors, Nursing supervisors, Chief Nurse, or Chief of Staff at the group or wing level), or to the Chief, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, if the issue involves a conflict with religious beliefs. (paragraph 1)
The 59 MDW will attempt to make accommodations for all reasonable staff member requests for exclusion from patient treatment or care resulting from a conflict with the staff member’s religious beliefs or personal values. (paragraph 1)