patient rights and responsibilities

PATIENT RIGHTS

• Receive services without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, handicap, national origin, or sponsor.
• Be provided reasonable access.
• Be provided a secure environment for self and property.
• Be treated with respect, consideration, dignity, and comfort.
• Expect physicians and staff to respect patient’s privacy and keep all information pertaining to his/her care confidential.
• Expect that all disclosures and records are treated confidentially, except when required by law, and to be given the right to approve or refuse their release.
• Be given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving patient’s care, except when participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
• Know by name and position, the persons caring for him/her. Physicians and staff will introduce themselves and staff will wear identification badges.
• Receive from patient’s physician, information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, except in emergencies.
• Be believed if patient says they have pain and to have his/her pain managed as individually and effectively as possible; a concerned staff member will respond to patient’s reports of pain.
• Voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished.
• Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• Receive the care necessary to regain or maintain patient’s maximum state of health and, if necessary, cope with death.
• Be fully informed of the scope of services available at the facility, provisions for after-hours care, and related fees for services rendered.
• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal. The patient accepts responsibility for his/her actions, including refusal of treatment or not following the instructions of the physician or facility.
• Be informed of any human experimentation or other research/educational projects affecting patient’s care of treatment and can refuse participation in such experimentation or research without compromise to the patient’s usual care.
• Access to and/or copies of patient’s medical record.
• Be informed as to the facility’s policy regarding advance directives/living wills.
• Be fully informed before any transfer to another facility or organization that has agreed to accept the patient transfer.
• Express those spiritual beliefs and cultural practices that do not harm or interfere with the planned course of medical therapy for the patient.
• Expect the facility to agree to comply with Federal Civil Rights Laws that assure it will provide interpretation for individuals who are not proficient in English.

If a patient is adjudged incompetent under applicable State health and safety laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on the patient’s behalf. If a State court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative designated by the patient in accordance with State laws may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by State law.                                                                             

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be considerate of other patients and personnel by assisting in the control of noise, eating, and other distractions.
• Respect the property of others and the facility.
• Report whether he/she clearly understands the planned course of treatment and what is expected of him/her.
• Keep appointments and, when unable to do so for any reason, notify the facility and physician.
• Follow the treatment plan prescribed by his/her provider, and participate in his/her care.
• Provide care givers with the most accurate and complete information regarding the present complaints, past illnesses, and hospitalizations, medications (including over-the-counter products) and dietary supplements, any allergies or sensitivities, unexpected changes in his or her condition, or any other health matters.
• Observe prescribed rules of the facility during patient’s stay and treatment, and if instructions are not followed, forfeit care at the facility.
• Promptly fulfill patient’s financial obligations to the facility.
• Identify any patient safety concerns.
• Provide a responsible adult to transport patient home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if required by his/her provider.