Patients Rights and Responsibilities

PATIENT'S RIGHTS

Riverview Regional Medical Center endeavors to respect the rights of each patient, to recognize that each patient is an individual with unique healthcare needs, and to provide considerate, respectful care focused upon the patient's individual needs. The following reflects your rights and responsibilities as we join in a partnership with you to provide your care.

As A Patient Here You Have The Right To:

Reasonable access to care; treatment or service is respected and supported.

Care that is considerate and respectful of personal values and beliefs.

Express your spiritual beliefs and cultural practices, as long as these do not harm others or interfere with treatment.

Pastoral counseling.

Be informed about and participate in all decisions regarding care that includes, but are not limited to:

Consent for or refusal of treatment to the extent permitted by law, after a clear explanation of risks, benefits and alternative treatments have been provided;

Also...
Advance directives;
Withholding of resuscitative services;
Forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment;
Care at the end of life;
Pain management and personal comfort;
Research projects or clinical trials;
Continuity of care;
Restriction of visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other forms of communication;

Security, personal privacy and confidentiality of information;

Exercise your patient rights through a legally authorized person;

Family participation in care decisions;

Access the hospital's method of educating staff about patient rights and their role in supporting those rights;

Access to protective services;

Request a case review by the ethics committee regarding ethical issues involved in your case;

Seek a second opinion or consult a specialist at your own request and expense;

Translation services and audiovisual aids when indicated;

The identity of those providing care to you;

Review your hospital charges;

Review your medical records;

Information on hospital affiliation with other providers or interests;

Freedom from the use of seclusion or restraint of any form unless clinically necessary;

Clearly presented and understood medical information regarding your condition and treatment;

Voice concerns to hospital or medical staff without fear of reprisal or discrimination.


PATIENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
As Our Patient, It Is Your Responsibility To:

Provide (past & current) complete, accurate and timely medical and insurance information.

Take responsibility for your health care.

Ask questions and accept consequences for not following instructions.

Participate effectively in decision-making as it relates to health care.

Communicate changes in your health and/or condition to your caregivers.

Follow your caregiver's instruction or discuss with them any obstacles you may have in complying with your prescribed treatment plan.

Show consideration for others patients and health care providers.

Respect and follow all hospital rules affecting patient conduct and care.

Pay your medical bills promptly.

Keep follow-up appointments after hospital discharge.

Conflict Resolution
Patients may have questions related to ethical issues of health care delivery. When such issues arise, the individual may voice their concern to their caregiver.
Caregiver will direct these concerns to a key manager who will review the situation and seek assistance of the Ethics Committee as needed. The committee's primary function is to provide education and guidance on how to think about issues that have no clear consensus. The committee is not authorized body but advisory in capacity. The committee is able to influence the decision of the provider, patient or family only through recommended solutions.

Advance Directives
Deciding about your healthcare- (Advance Directives)
If you are 19 or older, the law says you have to decide about your medical care.

If you are sick or badly hurt, you may not be able to say what medical care you want.

If you have an advance directive, your doctor and family will know what medical care you want if your are too sick or hurt to talk or make decisions.

What is an advance Directive?
An Advance Directive is used to tell your doctor and family what kind of medical care you want if your are too sick or hurt to talk or make decisions. If you do not have one, certain members of your family will have to decide on your care.

You must be at least 19 years of age to set up an advance directive. You must be able to think clearly and make decisions for yourself when you set it up. You do not need a lawyer to set one up, but you may want to talk with a lawyer before you take this important step. Whether or not you have an advance directive, you may have the same right
to get the care you need.

Hospital Statement of Policy:
The hospital supports a patient's right to actively participate in the healthcare decision making process. Through education and inquiry about existence of an advance directive, the hospital will support patients as they communicate their wishes. These decisions by patients will enable healthcare providers, family and friends to know
what the patient's wishes are and what they would be if they were to become incapacitated or otherwise unable to communicate those wishes. If you would like additional information regarding Advance Directives, please talk with your caregiver.
source : www.riverviewregional.com