Patient's Bill of Rights
We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. This hospital encourages respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual.
While you are a patient in the hospital, you have the right to:
- considerate and respectful care.
- be well-informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcome and to discuss this information with your doctor.
- You have the right to know the names and roles of people treating you.
- consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.
- have an advance directive, such as a living will or durable power of attorney. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to make those decisions 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 doctor.
- privacy. The hospital, your doctor and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.
- expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given the hospital permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.
- review your medical records and to have the information explained, unless there is a legal restriction against releasing the medical records.
- expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.
- know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers.
- consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.
- be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
- know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about charges and payment methods. You have the right to know about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees, that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care.
