PATIENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY:

The patient, parent or legal guardian has rights and responsibilities when receiving treatment and care at North Central Heart Institute. The purpose of this policy is to set forth the rights and responsibilities of patients.

PROCEDURES:

Patient Rights

The patient has the right to impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available or medically indicated regardless of sex, economic status, educational background, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation or marital status, disability, or the source of payment of care.

1. A patient may not be denied appropriate medical care because of the patient's race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex (sexual orientation, marital status), age, handicap or source of payment.
2. The patient shall be treated with consideration, respect, and personal care, including the need for privacy in treatment.
3. The individual patient's medical records, including all computerized medical information, shall be kept confidential.
4. The patient or any person authorized by statute or in writing by the patient shall have access to the patient's medical record.
5. Every patient shall be entitled to know who has overall responsibility for the patient's care.
6. Every patient, legally authorized person or any person authorized in writing by the patient shall receive, from the appropriate person within the facility, information about his illness, course of treatment and prognosis for recovery in terms the patient can understand.
7. Every patient or his designated representative, where appropriate, shall have the opportunity to participate to the fullest extent possible in planning for his care and treatment.
8. Except in emergencies, the consent of the patient or legally authorized person shall be obtained before treatment is administered.
9. Any patient may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and shall be informed of the medical consequences of the refusal.
10. The patient, the patient's legally authorized representative, or person granted the power to authorize medical treatment shall be fully informed of the patient's rights to participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of his or her care, including issues of withholding resuscitative services, conflict resolution and participation in any form of experimental research or clinical trials.
11. Except in emergencies, the patient may be transferred to another facility only with a full explanation of the reason for the transfer, provision for continuing care, and acceptance by the receiving institution and physician.
12. Every patient may examine and receive an explanation of the patient's clinic bill regardless of source of payment, and may receive upon request, information relating to financial assistance available through North Central Heart Institute.
13. Every patient shall be informed of his responsibility to comply with NCHI rules, cooperate with the patients own treatment, provide a complete and accurate medical history, be respectful of other patients, staff and property, and provide required information concerning payment of charges.

Patient Responsibilities

1. The patient is responsible to provide to the best of his/her knowledge accurate and complete information about present health complaints, past illness, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to his/her care.
2. The patient is responsible to provide information about advance directives, documents that give directions about his/her future medical health care should he/she be incapable of participation in such discussions.
3. The patient is responsible to inform us if he/she does not understand a proposed course of actions or what is expected of them.
4. The patient is responsible for following the treatment recommended by your health practitioner.
5. The patient is responsible for asking questions about his/her treatment, diagnosis or prognosis.
6. The patient is responsible to know and follow NCHI rules and regulations, including noise control, smoking, and number of visitors.
7. The patient is responsible to be cooperative and considerate during the treatment and care prescribed.
8. The patient is responsible for the financial obligations for care.
9. The patient is responsible to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other patients and employees.
10. The patient is responsible to talk with the nurse, doctor, or administrative personnel if he/she is dissatisfied with his/her care.