Patient Rights & Responsibilities

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Your healthcare is a cooperative effort between you, your physician, and the hospital staff. In addition to your rights it is expected you will assume the following responsibilities to the best of your ability.

RESPECTFUL AND SAFE CARE

  • You have the right to receive considerate, respectful, and compassionate care in a safe setting regardless of your age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or ability to pay.
  • You or your family members have access to report any ethical issues related to your care.
  • 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 care in a safe environment free from all forms of abuse, neglect, or verbal, mental, physical or sexual mistreatment. The hospital will provide a list of resources for protective and advocacy services in cases of abuse or neglect.
  • You have the right to be free from restraint or seclusion, of any form, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

  • You have the right to have a family member or representative of your choice and your doctor notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
  • You have the right to communication that you can understand. The hospital will provide language interpretation for you at no charge.
  • You have the right to have someone remain with you for emotional support during your hospital stay, unless your visitorís presence compromises your or othersí rights, safety, or health. You have the right to give or withdraw consent for that visitor at any time.
  • You have the right to receive detailed information about your hospital and physician charges.

PARTICIPATION IN YOUR CARE

  • You, or your designee, have the right to participate in decisions about your care, treatment, and services, including the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. 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 get information from your doctor/provider about your diagnosis, your test results, and possible outcomes of care and unanticipated outcomes of care.
  • You have the right to give written informed consent before any non-emergency procedure begins.
  • If you are unable to make your own healthcare decisions, you have the right to execute an advance directive and give authority to act on your behalf. The hospital can provide resources to assist you.
  • You have the right to have your pain assessed and to be involved in decisions about treating and managing your pain.
  • You have the right to be involved in your discharge plan, either instructions for follow-up care at home or information regarding your transfer to another facility.
  • You have the right to agree or refuse to take part in medical research studies. You may withdraw from a study at any time without impacting your access to standard care.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

  • You can expect full consideration of your privacy and confidentiality regarding your care.
  • Your medical record will be kept private and confidential, and only you or your legal representative are able to obtain information contained in the record, unless disclosure is permitted by law.
  • You have the right to the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which includes information on how to access your medical records.
  • You have the right to request a list of people to whom your personal health information was disclosed.
  • You have the right to give or refuse consent for recordings, photographs, films, or other images to be produced or used for internal or external purposes other than identification, diagnosis, or treatment. You have the right to withdraw consent up until a reasonable time before the item is used.

COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES

  • You and your family have a right to express concerns or complaints regarding your care, hospital conditions, your doctor, or a hospital employee without your care being affected.
  • You have the right to report any alleged abuse, neglect, or illegal conduct at any time. UMH abides by all Discrimination and Retaliation Standards, and all patients and employees are protected from discrimination and/or retaliation for reporting any violation of the law.
  • You are encouraged to speak with a manager or the Patient Advocate at 830-278-6251 ext. 1319, or the UMH Ethics & Compliance Hotline at 830-591-0513 at any time. If the issue remains unresolved, you can contact one of the above, your health plan, or one of the following:

The Joint Commission
Office of Quality Monitoring
1-800-944-6610
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Texas Department of State Health & Human Services
Compliance Line – 1-888-973-0022
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199

YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO:

  • Provide complete and accurate information, including your name, address, phone, birth date, Social Security, insurance, and employer when required.
  • Provide complete and accurate information about your health and medical history, including present condition, past illnesses, hospital stays, medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and any other matters relating to your health.
  • Provide the hospital or doctor with a copy of your advance directive if there is one.
  • Report whether you clearly comprehend a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you. You are responsible for your own action if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitionerís instructions.
  • Report unexpected changes in your condition.
  • Actively participate in your pain management plan and keep doctors and nurses informed of the effectiveness of your treatment.
  • Leave valuables at home and bring only necessary items.
  • Treat all hospital staff, medical staff, other patients, and visitors with courtesy and respect; abide by all hospital rules and safety regulations; and be mindful of noise levels and privacy.
  • Ensure that the financial obligations of your healthcare are met as promptly as possible.
  • Provide necessary information for insurance claims and make payment arrangements when necessary.
  • Respect privacy of the exam by not taking pictures, videos or recordings during exam.