Your Rights
You have the right to receive considerate, respectful and
compassionate care in a safe setting regardless of your
race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or
mental disability, religion, language, or ability to pay.
You have the right to receive care treatment and services
that are adequate, appropriate and in compliance with state,
local, and federal law and regulation.
You have the right to be provided care in a safe environment
free from all forms of abuse and neglect, including verbal,
mental, physical and sexual abuse.
You have the right to have a medical screening exam and be
provided stabilizing treatment for emergency medical
conditions and labor.
You have the right to be free from restraints and seclusion
unless needed for safety.
You have the right to be called by your proper name and to
be in an environment that maintains dignity and adds to a
positive self-image.
You have the right to be told the names and jobs of the
health care team members involved in your care if staff
safety is not a concern.
You have the right to have respect shown for your personal
values, beliefs and wishes.
You have the right to be provided a list of protective and
advocacy services when needed.
You have the right to receive information about your
hospital and physician charges and ask for an estimate of
hospital charges before care is provided and as long as
patient care is not impeded.
You have the right to receive information from your doctor
or other health care practitioners about your diagnosis,
prognosis, test results, outcomes of care and unanticipated
outcomes of care.
You have the right to have a family member or designated
representative and your own physician notified promptly of
your admission to the hospital.
You have the right to be involved in your plan of care,
including the right to refuse treatment to the extent
permitted by law. You may include family and friends, with
your permission in these decisions. If you leave the
hospital against the advice of your doctor, the hospital and
doctors will not be responsible for any medical consequences
that may occur.
You have the right to be screened, assessed, and treated for
pain. You have the right to be involved in decisions about
treating your pain.
In accordance with hospital visitation policies, you have
the right to have an individual of your choice remain with
you for emotional support during your hospital stay, choose
the individuals who may visit you and change your mind about
the individuals who may visit.
You have the right to appoint an individual of your choice
to make health care decisions for you, in the event that you
are unable to do so.
You have the right to make or change an advance directive.
If you do not have an advance directive, we can provide you
with information and help you complete one.
You have the right to give informed consent before any
non-emergency care is provided, including the benefits and
risks of the care, alternatives to the care, and the
benefits and risks of the alternatives to the care.
You have the right to agree or refuse to take part in
medical research studies, without the agreement or refusal
affecting your care.
You have the right to allow or refuse to allow
picture-taking for purposes other than for your care.
You have the right to withdraw consent up until a reasonable
time before the photo is used.
You have the right to expect privacy and confidentiality in
care discussions and treatments. You may ask for an escort
during any type of exam.
You have the right to be involved in your discharge plan.
You can expect to be told in a timely manner of your
discharge, transfer to another facility or transfer to
another level of care. Before your discharge, you can expect
to receive information about follow-up care that you may
need.
You can expect that all communication and records about your
care are confidential, unless disclosure is permitted by
law. You have the right to see or get a copy of your medical
records. You may add information to your medical record by
contacting the Health Information Management Department. You
have the right to request a list of people to whom your
personal health information was disclosed.
You have the right to access your medical records in
accordance with HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
You have a right to be provided a copy of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Notice of
Privacy Practices. Please see this page.
If you or your family member needs to discuss an ethical
issue related to your care, a member of the Ethics Committee
is available to assist. You may request a consultation.
You have the right to spiritual services. Chaplains are
available to help you directly or to contact your own
clergy.
You have the right to receive information in a manner that
is understandable by the patient, which may include: i) Sign
and foreign language interpreters; ii) Alternative formats,
including large print; braille; audio recordings; and
computer files; and iii) Vision, speech, hearing, and other
temporary aids as needed without charge.
The hospital provides free language services to people whose
primary language is not English, such as: