Patient Rights & Responsibilities

North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) system recognizes its obligations and responsibility to provide each patient with the care most conducive to your comfort and well being. It further respects the rights of the patient (and legal guardian) as an individual with unique health care needs. In providing this care NMMC has the right to expect behavior on the part of the patients, legal guardians, relatives and friends which is reasonable and responsible.

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
  • be informed of all patient rights at the time of admission and the rules and regulations applicable to your conduct as a patient
  • The patient has the right to have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her own physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital
  • be treated with courtesy, respect, individual dignity and privacy
  • access to people outside the facility by means of visitors and by verbal and written communications
  • expect all communications and other records pertaining to your care, including source of payment for treatment to be treated as confidential
  • participate in decisions involving your health care, including the diagnosis, considerations of ethical issues, course of treatment, alternatives, risks and prognosis
  • know if medical treatment is for experimental research and to consent or refuse to participate in such experimental research
  • know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services and to know which physician is primarily responsible for your care
  • expect your documented Advance Directive to be acted upon to the extent of the law
  • expect reasonable safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned
  • 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
  • a timely notice of termination of your eligibility for reimbursement by any third-party payor for the cost of your care
  • request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total bill for services rendered in the hospital
  • prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests
  • be offered spiritual care/pastoral counseling of your choice
  • express your concerns about the care you receive. If you have a complaint or grievance, you may discuss it with your caregiver and/or you may contact NMMC Care Connection by dialing CARE (2273) or (662) 377-2273 (outside NMMC).
  • request a review by the following organizations, if your complaint or grievance is not resolved to your satisfaction:

Patient safety concerns can be reported to: DNV Healthcare, www.dnvhealthcareportal.com/patient-complaint-report, by fax to (281) 870-4818; Mississippi State Department of Health, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700; or Alabama State Department of Health, P.O. Box 303017, Montgomery, AL 36130-3017.

Mississippi Medicare beneficiaries may contact the QIO (Quality Improvement Organization) to lodge a complaint or grievance at 1-800-633-4227 or 385B Highland Colony Parkway, Ste. 504, Ridgeland, MS 39157; Alabama Medicare beneficiaries may contact the AQAF (Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation) at (205) 970-1600 or Two Perimeter Park South, Suite 200 West, Birmingham, AL 35243.

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 time-frame
  • 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.)

If you need further information or have questions, please call NMMC Care Connection at (662) 377-2273.