Patient Rights/Responsibilities

Patient Rights

The patient has a right to:

• Be informed of his/her rights as a patient in advance of, or when discontinuing, the provision of care.
• Exercise these rights without regard to race, sex, cultural, educational or religious background or the source of payment for care.
• Receive considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment.
• Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.
• Coordinate his/her care with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Receive information from the physician about illness, the course of treatment and the prospects for recovery in terms that he/she can understand.
• Receive information about any proposed treatment or procedure as needed to give informed consent or to refuse treatment.
• Have a family member or representative of his/her choice be involved in his/her care.
• Full consideration of patient privacy with regards to consultation, examination, treatment or surgery.
• Confidential treatment of all communication and records pertaining to patient care. Access to information in his/her medical records within a reasonable time frame, when requested.
• Leave the facility even against medical advice.
• Be informed by a physician or designee of the continuing health care requirements after discharge.
• Examine and receive an explanation of the bill regardless of payment source.
• Be advised of the facility’s grievance process.
• Have all patient’s rights apply to the person who has the legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on behalf of the patient.
• All facility personnel performing patient care activities observe the aforementioned rights.

Patient Responsibilities

The patient has the responsibility to:

• Provide accurate and complete information concerning present complaints, past illnesses, current medications, and dietary supplements, hospitalizations or any other health-related issues.
• Make it known whether the planned surgical procedure/treatment risks, benefits, and alternative treatment have been explained and understood.
• Follow the treatment plan established by the physician including physician instructions given by the nurses and other healthcare professionals.
• Keep appointments or notify the facility and/or physician in advance, if unable to do so.
• Accept full responsibility for refusal of treatment and/or not to follow instructions.
• Assure that the financial obligations of his/her care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• Be respectful of others in the facility: providers, staff and other patients.
• Provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the facility following the surgical procedure.