Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights 

As a patient, you have the right:

• to impartial access to treatment or accommodations regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, handicap or ability to pay for care
• to be informed of all patient rights at the time of admission and the rules and regulations applicable to your conduct as a patient
• to have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
• to be treated with courtesy, respect, individual dignity and privacy
• to access to people outside the facility by means of visitors and by verbal and written communications
• to expect all communications and other records pertaining to your care, including source of payment for treatment, to be treated as confidential
• to participate in decisions involving your health care, including the diagnosis, considerations of ethical issues, course of treatment, alternatives, risks and prognosis
• to know if medical treatment is for experimental research and to consent or refuse to participate in such experimental research
• to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services and to know which physician is primarily responsible for your care
• to expect your documented Advance Directive to be acted upon to the extent of the law
• to expect reasonable safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned
• to refuse treatment to the extent of the law and must be told of the potential risks involved with such refusal
• to be informed of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital
• to a timely notice of termination of your eligibility for reimbursement by any third-party payor for the cost of your care
• to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total bill for services rendered in the hospital
• to prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests
• to be offered spiritual care/pastoral counseling of your choice
• to express your concerns about the care you receive
• to request a review by the appropriate outside organizations

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, you have the responsibility:

• to provide accurate and complete information about present and past complaints, illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health
• to report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner
• to report whether you clearly understand the course of treatment and what is expected of you
• for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care
• for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions
• for assuming and fulfilling appropriately and promptly the financial obligations for health care
• to request consideration for charity care and provide hospital requested information within the assigned timeframe
• for following rules and regulations, such as control of noise, smoking and number of visitors
• for being respectful of the property of other persons and the facility
• for not participating in the use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol
• for not bringing firearms, explosives or knives within the boundaries of the facility property
• for participating reasonably in discharge planning
• for keeping appointments and if unable to do so, for any reason, notifying the responsible practitioner or facility
• to notify your insurance company within 24 hours of admission (see back of your insurance card for instructions)