Access to Care

Individuals shall be provided with impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available or medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, or sources of payment for care.

Respect and Dignity

The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of his or her personal dignity.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The patient has the right to:
•  To refuse to talk with anyone not officially connected with the hospital.
•  To wear appropriate personal clothing and religious or other symbolic items, as long as they do not interfere with diagnostic procedures or treatment
•  To be interviewed and examined in private surroundings
•  To expect that any discussion or consultation involving his case be conducted in a discrete manner, and only by those who are directly involved in his case
•  To have his or her medical record seen only by those directly involved in his case
•  To expect all communications and other records pertaining to his care, including a source of payment for treatment, to be treated as confidential
•  To request a transfer to another room if another patient or visitor in the room is unreasonably disruptive
•  To be placed in protective privacy if necessary for personal safety.

Personal Safety

The patient has the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned.

Identity

The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to him or her and to know which doctor is primarily responsible for his or her care.

Information

The patient has the right to obtain, from the practitioner responsible for coordinating his care, complete and up to date information concerning his diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. This information should be given to the patient in terms he can reasonably be expected to understand.

Communication

The patient has the right to access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by verbal and written communication.

Consent

The patient has the right to reasonable informed participation in decisions involving his or her health care.

Consultation

The patient, at his or her own request and expense, has the right to consult with a specialist.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. When refusal of treatment by the patient or his legally authorized representative prevents the appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.

The patient is responsible for his or her actions if he or she refuses treatment or does not follow the doctor’s instructions.

Transfer and continuity of care

A patient may not be transferred to another facility or organization unless he has received a complete explanation of the need for the transfer and alternatives. The transfer must also be acceptable to the receiving facility. The patient has the right to be informed concerning continuing health needs after discharge from the hospital.

Hospital Charges

The patient has the right to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of his total bill for services provided in the hospital. The patient has the right to timely notice prior to termination of his eligibility for reimbursement by any third-party payer for the cost of his or her care.

Hospital Rules and Regulations

The patient should be informed of the hospital rules and regulations applicable to his or her conduct as a patient.

Patient Responsibilities

Providing quality healthcare is a complex task requiring close cooperation between patients and health facility personnel. Patients can take responsibility for their care by helping their medical team give the best possible care. (Please note that their parents and/or guardians will represent child and adolescent patients). A joint effort between parents and/or guardians and the facility staff should enable these patients to comply with patient responsibilities.

Provisions of Information

A patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about his or her health.

Compliance with Instructions

A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his or her care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated care plan. The patient is responsible for keeping appointments, and when her or she is unable to do so for any reason, to notify the healthcare provider.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient is responsible for his or her actions if he or she refuses treatment or does not follow the physician’s instructions.

Patient Responsibilities

The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Respect and Consideration

The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for compliance with the tobacco-free campus policy and for being respectful of hospital property and the property of other individuals