When does the hospital-patient relationship officially begin?

The hospital-patient relationship officially begins when the patient is voluntarily admitted and agrees to treatment costs. This moment marks the establishment of a contractual relationship between the patient and the hospital, wherein the hospital has the responsibility to provide care, and the patient agrees to abide by the terms of that care.

Voluntary admission implies that the patient has made a conscious decision to seek medical help and acknowledges the costs associated with the treatment. This agreement can be seen as both a legal and ethical commitment, as it reflects the patient's autonomy in choosing to engage with the healthcare system and accept the obligations that come with it.

Other scenarios, such as a physician making a referral to the hospital or advising the patient to seek treatment, do not constitute the official start of this relationship, as they do not involve the patient’s admission and agreement to care. Additionally, simply sharing test results with a patient does not establish a hospital-patient relationship either; it is more about the communication of information rather than the initiation of a healthcare service obligation. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the critical moment of admission, which is foundational to the duties and rights that arise in the context of healthcare provision.