Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

A patient has the right to:

• Kind, safe, and respectful care that is free from abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation or neglect.
• Treatment and information without discrimination based on age, color, culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or source of payment.
• Interpreter and translation services at no cost if your English is limited.
• The name of any provider, provider or institution that is responsible for, or involved in, your care or treatment.
• Privacy to the extent consistent with providing adequate medical care to the patient and with the efficient administration of the health care facility.
• Participate in care and make informed decisions, including the right to refuse treatment as permitted by law.
• To designate a representative to make health care decisions on this/her behalf, and the right to formulate advanced directives.
• Appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• A reasonable response when a health care provider requests medical services or if the patient requests additional services.
• Freedom from restraints and seclusion that are not medically necessary or that are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
• Give or refuse informed consent to participate in human subject research as required by law.
• Be informed about the reasons and alternatives before transfer to another facility.
• Receive information about hospice care.
• Use a personal television set that meets safety standards.
• Review their hospital bill and be given an explanation of the charges, regardless of the source of payment; provided with a summarized medical bill within 30 days of discharge and an itemized bill on request.
• Examine and obtain a copy of their medical records, at no charge in certain cases.
• Examine any hospital rules and regulations that govern treatment.
• The presence of someone of their choosing to give emotional support and visits from people of their choice, unless it interferes with others’ care or their own.

Responsibilities of the Patient

A patient is expected to:

• Provide the hospital or provider with information about past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, allergies and other matters related to their health care.
• Inform the hospital if they do not understand or will be unable to carry out medical instructions.
• Not take any drugs unless they are prescribed by the provider and administered by hospital staff.
• Treat staff and licensed independent practitioners with respect, refrain from violence or threats of violence and use civil language.
• Be considerate of other patients and their visitors, particularly, respecting privacy, not smoking and keeping noise at a reasonable level.
• Keep all appointments and provide advanced notice if you are unable to keep an appointment.
• Let hospital staff know if they have prepared an advanced directive and provide a copy to the hospital.
• Provide complete insurance information.
• Take financial responsibility for paying for all services rendered, either through insurance, or personal payment for any service not covered by insurance.
• Participate in the process of medical education of future health care professional as authorized by the hospital.
• Accept responsibility for the outcome if they refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions.

Find Out More: