COMMITMENT TO OUR PATIENTS

The doctors, nurses and staff of Heritage Medical Center are committed to excellent patient care. We respect your dignity and individuality. This message is published to reinforce this commitment.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT (Patient Rights)

1. You can expect the appropriate medical care indicated for your problem without regard to such considerations as race, creed, sex, color, religion, national origin or the source of payment for your care.
2. You can expect privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of your care. Your hospital records are private and you can expect that these records will be treated as confidential.
3. You can expect to know the name of the doctor who is responsible for your care, to talk with that doctor, and to obtain the information necessary for you and to understand your medical problem. You (and when appropriate, your family) can expect to be informed of the planned course of treatment, including an appropriate explanation about procedures and operations.
4. You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain. Hospital staff will assess your reports of pain, respond quickly, and provide pain relief measures and information about pain control.
5. You can expect to be treated respectfully by others, to be listened to when you have a question or desire more information, and to receive an appropriate response. You can expect efficient and courteous attention from all personnel when you request help, with the understanding that other patients may have similar or more urgent needs.
6. You will have the freedom of unrestricted communications with any person of your choice, including but not limited to physicians, attorneys, clergymen, at any reasonable hour. If possible, access to an interpreter will be provided if you do not speak or understand English.
7. You may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. You may leave the institution against the advice of your doctors. If you elect to take such action, you will be asked to sign a "Discharge Against Medical Advice" form and the hospital and physicians will not be responsible for any harm, which may result.
8. You may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. You may leave the institution against the advice of your doctors. If you elect to take such action, you will be asked to sign a "Discharge Against Medical Advice" form and the hospital and physicians will not be responsible for any harm, which may result.
9. The hospital staff will try to resolve any complaints you have. The quality of care will not be changed if you have a complaint.
10. You will not be transferred to another facility unless you have received a complete explanation of the need for your transfer and the alternatives to such a transfer, unless the transfer is acceptable to the facility.
11. You may inquire about your hospital charges and obtain information about payment of your hospital bills.
12. Providing you are a recipient of Medicare and/or Medicare benefits, your hospitalization will be reviewed by the Utilization Review Committee, pursuant to Title XVIII, Section 1861, (K) of the Social Security Act, to determine the extent of medical necessity. (This also applies to some patients with private insurance.)
13. You and, when appropriate, your families are informed about the outcome of care, including anticipated outcomes.
14. You will be informed of any other hospital rules and regulations that affect your conduct as a patient.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU (Patient Responsibilities)

1. You have the responsibility to provide to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other health matters.
2. You are responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
3. You are responsible to talk to your doctor or nurse about pain relief options, help develop a plan of pain control, talk about any concerns you have about pain control, report pain when it first begins, and tell your doctor or nurse if pain is not relieved.
4. You are responsible for your own actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow your doctor's orders.
5. You are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are settled as soon as possible.
6. You are responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
7. You have the responsibility of being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.