Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

You and your family are important to us and we respect your rights and responsibilities.

As a patient, you have the right to…

• Privacy and confidentiality; to receive considerate and respectful care free from verbal or physical abuse, neglect, harassment, and/or exploitation.

• Receive spiritual services and have your personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected.

• Choose a personal attending physician and know the names and roles of healthcare staff treating you.

• Receive complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and discharge plan in terms you can reasonably expect to understand. Sign language and foreign language interpreters are provided at no cost to you.

• Receive from the physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, including a description of the procedure/treatment including risks, benefits, and any alternatives. Exceptions will be made in the case of an emergency.

• Refuse treatment, be informed of the medical consequences of this action, and refuse participation in experimental research.

• Confidentiality of your medical records and the ability to obtain information contained in your records within a reasonable time frame.

• Be informed of services available and the costs of such services.

• Be provided information on resources and services as needed during and post treatment.

• Form an Advance Directive, such as a Living Will or Healthcare Proxy. These documents express your choices about your future care or name a representative 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 physician.

• Be free from restraints and seclusion of any form used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation. Restraints are only used as a last resort to protect a patient from injury as per a physician’s order.

• Use personal belongings within reasonable limits that do not pose a safety risk.

• Receive visitors which may include spouses, domestic partners including same-sex partners, and family, or friends; that the rights to visitation will not be restricted, limited, or denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sex, culture, language, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression; and, that all visitors will not face any more restrictive environment than that faced by immediate family members.

• Express grievances regarding any violation of your rights or concerns about any aspect of your care, treatment, and services, as stated in the state and federal law. To do so, you may contact:

As a patient, it is your responsibility to…

• Provide the healthcare provider, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your healthcare.

• Provide complete and accurate personal information including name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, and health insurance coverage.

• Provide a copy of your Living Will and/or any legal documents pertaining to decision making.

• Report unexpected changes in your condition to the healthcare provider.

• Follow the treatment plan recommended by the healthcare provider and communicate with the provider whether you comprehend the treatment plan and what is expected of you.

• Keep appointments and, when you are unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the healthcare provider or the facility.

• Accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow the healthcare provider’s instructions.

• Ensure that the financial obligations of your healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

• Respect the knowledge and skill of your healthcare team.

• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Any abusive or rude behavior could result in your dismissal from our care.

• Remain in your care area unless discussed with staff.

• Refrain from smoking and the use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes on our property.

• Not bring any illegal drugs, alcohol, guns, or other weapons onto our property.

• Not take any photos or videos of hospital or clinic staff, other patients, or people.