Our Commitment to our Patients and Families

Patient Rights

We commit to you, our patient:

• to respect your needs and wishes, and strive to work cooperatively with you in providing services.
• considerate and respectful care, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, physical or mental disability or national origin.
• to work with you on personal values and beliefs that do not interfere with your care or the well-being of others and to provide support on matters of personal comfort and dignity.
• to provide information to you about your medical treatment and answer any questions you may have regarding treatment, procedures, tests or surgery scheduled for you.
• support of informed decision making with your physician regarding treatment or proposed treatment, including that which may be experimental in nature. If you refuse treatment, your doctor should explain the medical risk to you. Your access to care and level of care will not be affected by your refusal to participate in any proposed clinical research.
• information about the safety reasons for restraining you, if necessary, either physically or with medication.
• information that would allow you to make your own healthcare decisions for the future (advance directives, such as Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorneys for Health Care and Proxies), and that our providing care to you will not be conditioned on whether you have advance directives.
• access to our Ethical Advisory Committee, upon your request, should you wish help with ethical issues.
• ready availability of pastoral and spiritual support.
• to be especially considerate of the needs of patients at the end of life and to provide appropriate and effective pain management to those who are in need of it.
• privacy and confidentially during your visit with your medical record, you will be allowed access to your medical record, as appropriate.
• an explanation to any questions regarding your hospital charges and our billing procedures, regardless of your insurance coverage or your ability to pay.
• an opportunity for you, your family, or a legally appointed representative to express any concerns about your care and the assurance that any expressed concerns will not interfere with present or future care.  A patient representative is available to assist you.

Patient Responsibilities

Together, we can make your hospitalization more appropriate for your particular needs.  You can help us, and yourself, by:

• giving your doctor and our staff complete and accurate information about your condition, including past illnesses and asking questions when you need more information from us.
• following your doctor's orders and instructions, and the hospital staff's instructions for your care and accepting responsibility for refusing treatment. Ask your doctor about the risks and consequences for refusal, including other available options, prior to making such decisions.
• providing us with a current copy of your advance directive specifying your healthcare choices (such as Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health care of Proxy) to be placed in your medical record upon each hospital admission, and periodically reviewing your advance directives with your physician, family and the  person you have selected to represent you.
• sending home all personal valuables or placing them in a hospital safe. Also, when requested, taking off personal items such as dentures, glasses and hearing aids, as necessary for specified procedures. Ask your nurse for a denture cup and advice on where to keep your glasses and hearing aids.
• using hospital equipment and facilities carefully so that they remain in good condition for others to use.
• being considerate of hospital staff who are caring for you. A mutual spirit of respect and cooperation allows us to serve you best.

 Because we want to be considerate of all our patients, we ask that you:

• respect other patients' needs for privacy and quiet. Consider them when using your television, radio, or telephone.
• ask your family and other visitors to help you by observing visiting hours and limiting the number of visitors. Ask your nurse for visiting guidelines.
• follow the no-smoking policy.
• supply insurance information and pay your bill promptly so we can continue to serve you and community effectively.

Our commitment to quality, patient-centered care is for every patient, including infants and adolescent children whose parents or legal guardians will be expected to speak for them and be responsible for approving the care prescribed.

Speak with your doctor, your nurse, or call for a patient representative if there are any opportunities for improved sensitivity to your needs.