As an individual, you have certain basic human rights that do not end when you’re in the hospital. When you’re a patient, your rights of personal dignity, free expression and free decision are very important factors in your recovery. In providing care, hospitals also have the right to expect behavior from you, your relatives and friends that, considering your illness, is reasonable and responsible. You have entered into an important relationship with us. Your care, comfort and peace of mind are prime concerns. It is with this spirit of teamwork between patient and hospital staff that the following Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities is presented. Please read these rights and responsibilities carefully and completely. We believe that observing them will contribute to better care of you as our patient. It is also important to note that our hospital is responsible for educating the staff about your rights and their role supporting the rights.

These rights apply to all neonates, children, adolescents, adults and geriatric patients.

• You have the right to considerate and respectful care without regard to sex, race, religion, disability, national origin or source of payment.
• You have the right to personal privacy. This means you may:
  ~ Refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the hospital, including visitors or those not directly involved with your care
  ~ Wear appropriate clothing and religious or other symbolic items, as long as they do not interfere with your treatment
  ~ Ask to be transferred to another room if another patient or visitor in your room is unreasonably disturbing to you by his or her actions
• You have the right to have all personal and medical information treated in a confidential manner.
• You have the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as hospital practices and environment are concerned.
• You have the right to know the identity and professional status of all individuals providing your health care and know which physician is primarily responsible for your care.
• You have the right to obtain from the physician primarily responsible for your care, understandable information that is complete enough for you to give informed consent for treatment and proposed medical and surgical procedures.
• You have the right to access to people outside the hospital, verbal and written communication, and, unless medically inadvisable, visitors.
• You have the right to participate actively in decisions regarding your medical care—participation should be based on a clear, concise explanation of your condition and any proposed treatment by your physician.
• You have the right (at your own request and expense) to consult with a specialist.
• You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. If such refusal prevents the provision of appropriate care, your relationship with the hospital and/or your physician may cease upon reasonable care.
• You have the right to be informed of the individual responsible for your care, or their designee, of any continuing health requirements following discharge from the hospital.
• You have the right to examine your bill and receive reasonable explanation of any portion thereof without regard to source of payment.
• You have the right to participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and participation in investigational studies or clinical trials.
• You have the right to designate a decision maker in case you become incapable of understanding proposed treatment or procedure or if you are unable to communicate your wishes regarding your care.
• You have the right to formulate advance directives.
• You have the right to access protective services.