HNJH Rights and Responsibilities of Patients

(Consistent with Helen Newberry Joy Hospital's obligations and policies under which the Hospital operates, the Hospital has adopted a Policy on Patient Rights and Responsibilities. This statement describes the Policy which is posted at various locations in the Hospital. While the Rights and Responsibilities described in the statement are guidelines rather than strict rules of conduct, obligations, and policies, they are a statement of our commitment to effective and considerate patient care. Further, information as contained in Section 333.20201 of the Public Health Code regarding patient rights is available in the Administrator's office.)

Rights and Responsibilities of Hospital Patients

As a health care facility concerned with meeting your needs as well as the needs of the community, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center has adopted a Policy on Patient Rights and Responsibilities as follows:

Your Rights as a Patient
A.      You may expect to be treated courteously and you may ask questions and receive answers about your care. You are entitled to information about Hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care.

B.      You should know what treatment and procedures your doctor is recommending. If you don't understand them, you should ask questions. You may refuse care of treatment to the extent permitted by law. However, if you refuse care or treatment, or do not follow instructions, you are responsible for the result. When your refusal results in not providing appropriate care according to ethical and professional standards, your doctor may decide to discharge you upon reasonable notice.

C.     You may ask the names of the people caring for you and their role in your treatment.

D.     You may ask other doctors, including specialists, for their opinion on your case if you pay the cost involved.

E.      In most circumstances you may look at, or for a fee, obtain copies of your medical record. A third party shall not be given a copy of records without your authorization except as required because of a transfer to another health care facility or as required by law as third party payment contract.

F.      You may expect privacy and safe surroundings while you are in the Hospital. You may have information on any experimental procedure proposed as a part of your care and have the right to refuse to participate in the experiment without jeopardizing your continuing care.

G.     You may expect that communications and records about your care will be treated confidentially.

H.      You may communicate privately with anyone you wish unless medically contraindicated as documented by your physician in your chart.

I.        You may take part in religious or social activities unless your doctor thinks it would interfere with your care.

J.       You do not have to perform services for the Hospital that are not included for therapeutic purposes in your plan of care.

K.      You may raise questions if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your care. If you don't understand English, you may ask for an interpreter. The Hospital will do its best to respond if you ask for this service

L.       You should be told when students or persons from outside the Hospital are involved in your care, and you do not have to take part in any research or experimental project.

M.      You may expect that someone will explain why you are moving and any other choices available to you if you have to be transferred to another hospital or health care facility.

N.       You should be told what to do to continue your care to help you recover after you leave the Hospital. If you do not understand what you are to do, ask your doctor.

O.       You may look at and receive a copy of your Hospital bill no matter who pays for your care, unless otherwise prohibited by law. You may ask about financial help through the Hospital. You should be told when you are no longer eligible for insurance or when payment of your bill by others will end.

P.       You will not be denied appropriate care on the basis of your race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status, sexual preference, or source of payment.

Q.      The Hospital will be responsible for all personal possessions placed in their care for safe keeping.

R.       You are entitled to present grievances or recommend changes in policies and services to governmental officials or to other persons within or outside the Hospital free from restraint, interference, discrimination or reprisal. You may contact the Administrator=s office at any time for resolution of a complaint.

S.       You are entitled to be free from mental and physical abuse caused from physical and chemical restraints except those restraints authorized in writing by your physician for a special and limited time or as necessitated in an emergency to protect you from self injury or injury to others.

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

A.       You are responsible for following the Hospital=s Rules and Regulations affecting your care.

B.       You are responsible for providing, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete details about your past illnesses and present condition. You are responsible for telling your doctor or other Hospital personnel whether you have been hospitalized in the past, what for and what medicine or other medications you are now taking or you have with you.

C.       You are responsible for telling your doctor if there is an unexpected change in your condition or if problems arise in your treatment.

D.       You are responsible for telling your doctor or nurse if you do not understand your treatment or if you do not understand what you are expected to do.

E.       You are responsible for following the advice and instruction of the doctors, nurses and other Hospital personnel concerning your care.

F.      You are responsible for your actions should you refuse treatment or do not follow the instructions of the physician or other healthcare personnel.

G.      You are responsible for keeping your appointments and for telling the doctor or Hospital if you cannot keep an appointment.

H.      You are responsible for paying your bill promptly and telling the Hospital if you cannot pay your bill.

I.        The Hospital staff is expected to be courteous to you; and you in turn are expected to be courteous to them and other patients, and are expected to help in keeping the noise and number of visitors to reasonable levels. You are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the Hospital.

Statement: Patients who are minors, and their parents/guardians acting on their behalf, are recipients of all the rights listed in this Policy Statement.

Statement: Parents/guardians of minors are expected to assume all responsibilities listed herein on behalf of their charges when they are patients in this Hospital.