We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decisions and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. Your hospital encourages respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual.

 

You will be treated without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or ability to pay.

 

While you are a patient in the hospital:

 

• You have the right to know that physicians who render professional services to you are independent practitioners and are not employees or agents of the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for the

          acts or omissions of the physicians that are not directed or controlled by the hospital. 

 

• You have the right to considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment. This hospital supports a culture of safety that provides activities and resources that contribute to the maintenance and improvement of safety on an ongoing, proactive basis. 

 

• You have the right to be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcome or unanticipated outcomes of care and to discuss this information with your doctor. You have the right to know the names and roles of people treating you.

 

• You have the right to have your pain addressed and treated. Pain treatment is an important part of your care. You shall be informed of pain relief measures available and care will be rendered based on current pain management techniques by health care professionals.

 

• You have the right to consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.

 

• You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself. If you have a written advance directive, you should provide a copy to the hospital, your family and your doctor.

 

• You have the right to privacy. The hospital, your doctor and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.

 

• You have the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.

 

• You have the right to review your medical records and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.

 

• You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If treatment is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.

 

• You have the right to know if this hospital has a relationship with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers.

 

• You have the right to have your own physician and a family member or representative notified promptly if you would like us to do so.

 

• You have the right to know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for your care.

 

• You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

 

• You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

 

• You have the right to receive an itemized explanation of your medical bill and to be informed of all sources of reimbursement for the medical services you receive.

 

• You have the right to receive standard medical care. This hospital will not use physical or chemical restraint or seclusion as a means of coercion, convenience or retaliation.

 

• You have the right to know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment, including charges and payment methods.

 

• You have the right to know about other resources -- such as patient representatives, our grievance process or ethics committees -- that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care. 

 

 

You also have responsibilities as a patient. You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, pain and use of medicine. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you can't follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.

 

 

This hospital works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.

 

 

Your health depends not just on your hospital care, but in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effects of your lifestyle on your personal health.

Your hospital serves many purposes; to improve people's health; treat people with injury and disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, your hospital will work to respect your values and dignity.

 

 

*Adopted from the AHA Standards for Patient Rights