Every hospital has the Patents Bill of Rights and Responsibilities prominently displayed. Often when we are in an emergency situation or in need of medical treatment, we do not take the time to read this information - we take some things for granted.

Take a moment now to read and understand the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities below, and you will be better prepared when the situation presents itself. Being an informed patient will insure the most effective treatment and will help ease the emotional trauma of a hospital emergency or confinement.

Patient Bill of Rights And Responsibilities

Your care and comfort are important to each physician, nurse and employee of the Hospital System. We are committed to supporting and respecting your rights. At the same time, you are asked to understand the patients' responsibilities.

If you have any questions about any of the rights and responsibilities, or if you feel you are not being treated fairly or properly, feel free to talk to your primary physician or nurse.

Your Rights as a Patient - You have the right:

• To reasonable access to care.
• To considerate care that respects your personal values and beliefs.
• To receive information, including who will be performing each procedure, before any treatment is administered and to consent to/refuse treatment after receiving the information. If another health care facility is involved in the treatment, you are entitled to an explanation of the relationship.
• To formulate, if not already done, an advance directive that the hospital will honor to the extent permitted by the law and hospital policy. The lack of advance directives, however, does not hamper access to care. At any time throughout your hospital stay you may review and modify the advance directive.
• To every consideration of privacy, security and an environment free from abuse and/or harassment.
• To have your records and communications remain confidential.
• To inspect your medical records and have the information explained.
• To receive the name and specialty of the physician or any person responsible for your care.
• To refuse to be a research subject.
• To expect reasonable continuity of care.
• To receive appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• To be free from restraint or seclusion unless medically indicated.
• To voice complaints regarding the care received and to have those complaints reviewed and, when possible, resolved.

• Providing Information. The patient and family are responsible for providing, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to the patient's health.
• They are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in the patient's condition to the responsible practitioner.
• Asking questions. The patient and family are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about the patient's care or what they are expected to do.
• Following instructions. The patient and family are responsible for following the treatment plan developed with the practitioner. They should express any concerns they have about their ability to follow the proposed course of treatment; the hospital, in turn, makes every effort to adapt the treatment plan to the patient's specific needs and limitations.
• Where such adaptations are not recommended, the patient and family should understand the consequences of failing to follow the recommended course of treatment, or of using other treatments.
• Accepting the consequences of not following instructions. If the patient or family refuses treatment or fails to follow the practitioner's instructions, they are responsible for the outcomes.
• Following hospital rules and regulations. The patient and family are responsible for following the hospital's rules and regulations concerning patient care and conduct.
• Acting with consideration and respect. Patients and families are expected to be considerate of other patients and hospital personnel by not making unnecessary noise, smoking, or causing distractions. Patients and families are responsible for respecting the property of other persons and that of the hospital.