Patient Guide

Access to Care

Individuals shall be afforded impartial access to treatment that is available and medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or source of payment.

Quality of Care

You are entitled to receive proper evaluation and treatment. You have the right to be cared for by a physician whom you know is free to make clinical and ethical judgments without any outside interference. You shall always be treated in accordance with your best interests and generally approved medical principles.

Respect and Dignity

The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times, under all circumstances, with recognition of his personal dignity and worth. You may express your spiritual beliefs and cultural practices and we endeavor to have them respected within the course of your care and treatment at this hospital. However, this is permissible as long as it does not cause disturbance to others.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The patient has the right, within the law, to personal and information privacy, as manifested by the right to:

1. Expect that any discussion or consultation involving his/her case will be conducted discreetly and that individuals, not involved in direct care, will not be present without the permission of the patient.
2. Have his/her medical record read only by individuals directly involved in the treatment or monitoring of quality, and by other individuals only on written authorization by the patient or that of his/her legally authorized representative.
3. Expect that all communications and other records pertaining to his care, including the source of payment for treatment, be treated as confidential.
4. Expect that information given to concerned family members, significant other or legally qualified persons, be delivered in privacy and with due consideration of confidentiality.
5. Request transfer to another available room if another patient or visitors in that room are unreasonably disturbing to concerned patient.
6. Be placed in protective privacy and/or be assigned an alias name when considered necessary for personal safety.
7. Maintain the privacy of care by not taking photographs and videos inside the hospital.

Personal Safety and Security

The patient has the right, within the law, to personal and information privacy, as manifested by the right to:

Identity

The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service and which physician or other practitioner is primarily responsible for his care. This includes the patient’s right to know of the existence of any professional relationship among individuals who are treating him, as well as the relationship to any healthcare or educational institutions involved in his care. Participation by patients in research programs, or in the gathering of data for research purposes, shall be voluntary with signed informed consent.

Information

1. The patient has the right to obtain from the practitioner responsible for coordinating his care, complete and current information concerning his diagnosis (to the degree known), treatment, pain management, and any known prognosis. This information should be communicated in terms the patient can reasonably be expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information shall be made available to a legally authorized individual.
2. The patient has the right to formally access his medical records.

Communication

1. The patient has the right of access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors, and by oral or written communication.
2. When the patient does not speak or understand the predominant language of the community or is hearing impaired, s/he shall have access to an interpreter if at all possible. This is particularly true where language barriers can be a continuing problem.

Consent

The patient has the right to reasonably informed participation in decisions involving his/her health care. To the degree possible, this shall be based on a clear, concise explanation of his/her condition and of all proposed technical procedures, including the possibilities of any risk of mortality or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation, and the probability of success. The patient shall not be subjected to any procedure without his/her voluntary, competent and informed consent, or that of his/her legally authorized representative. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, the patient shall be so informed.

Transfer and Continuity of Care

A patient may not be transferred to another facility unless s/he has received a complete explanation of the need for the transfer and the alternatives to such a transfer, and unless the transfer is acceptable to the other facility. The patient has the right to be informed by the responsible practitioner or his/her delegate of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients have the responsibility for:

1. Providing accurate and complete information about medical complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, pain, and other matters relating to their health.
2. Following the treatment plan recommended by those responsible for their care.
3. Their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow the healthcare team’s instructions.
4. Seeing that their bills are paid as promptly as possible, following hospital rules and regulations.
5. Being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
6. Leaving your valuables at home and bring only necessary items for your hospital stay.
7. Seeking information, and in the event they have questions, asking them.
8. Reporting any changes in your health status to your caregiver.