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Patients Rights & Responsibilities

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Patient Safety Presentation (Flash)

1. The patient has the right to receive treatment without regard to gender, race, religion or ability to pay.
2. The patient will be treated with respect and sensitivity for the psychosocial, spiritual and cultural values that may affect the patient's response to care.
3. The patient has the right to participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care and to obtain complete and current information regarding diagnosis and treatment.
4. The patient or his/her representative has the right to make informed decisions regarding care. This includes being informed of his/her health status, a description of a procedure or treatment, alternatives to the choice of treatment and risks involved in the course of treatment or non-treatment.
5. The patient has the right to express advance directives and to have hospital staff and practitioners follow these directives in accordance with state law. (See Advance Directives for more information.)
6. The patient has the right to the management of his/her pain. This includes the timely assessment, intervention and the monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment by hospital staff and practitioners.
7. The patient has the right to personal privacy.
8. The patient has the right to receive care in a clean, safe and secure environment.
9. The patient has the right to courteous treatment and quality medical care in recognition of human dignity. The patient is assured of freedom from the abuse, neglect and harassment by staff, other patients or visitors.
10. The patient has the right to privacy of his/her clinical record. The hospital ensures the safeguarding of information including paper records, videos and computer stored information. The patient can make a specific request to release his/her information.
11. The patient has the right to access his/her clinical and financial records within a reasonable time as allowed by law.
12. The patient has the right to be free from any form of restraints that are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by the staff. Restraints can only be used when deemed medically necessary.
13. The patient has the right to receive information in a manner that can be understood. This includes individuals who speak languages other than English, or use communication aids when limited to hearing and sight.
14. The patient has the right to continuity of care, transfer and consultation with other medical specialties.

    Joint Notice of Privacy Practices (pdf)

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