PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PATIENT RIGHTS
The health and well-being of patients depends on a collaborative effort between patient and provider in a mutually respectful alliance. Patients contribute to this alliance when they fulfill responsibilities they have, to seek care, and to be candid with their providers. Providers can best contribute to a mutually respectful alliance with patients by serving as their patient’s advocates and by respecting patients’ rights. Another person selected by the patient can exercise these rights on the patient’s behalf. A proxy decision can exercise these rights if the patient does not have a decision-making ability, is legally incompetent, or is a minor.
Respectful Treatment – The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care from your health care personnel and providers that do not discriminate against you. The patient has the right to receive medical care without regard to race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Medical Care – The patient has the right to quality care and treatment consists of available resources and accepted standards. The patient has the right to make decisions about the care the provider recommends and to have those decisions respected. The patient also has the right to refuse a recommended treatment or care plan to the extent allowed by the law and Government regulations, and to be informed of the consequences of his/her refusal. When there are concerns about medical care that was received, the patient has a right to request review of the adequacy of care.
Ask Questions – The patient has the right to ask questions about their health status or recommended treatment when they do not fully understand what has been described and to have their questions answered.
Privacy and Confidentiality – The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy. Expect that all communications and records relating to his/her care will be confidential, except in the case of suspected abuse and/or public health hazards when reporting information is necessary or required by the law.
Identity – The right to know, at all occurrences, the identity, professional status, credentials of the health care personnel and providers, as well as the name of the health care provider primarily responsible for his/her health.
Informed Consent – The patient has the right to be informed in non-clinical terms of information needed to make knowledgeable decisions on consent or refusal of treatments. Such information should be as the following: significant complications, risk, benefits, and alternative treatments available.
Explanation of Care – The patient has the right to an accurate and easy-to-understand plan of care concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment, procedures, and prognosis or illnesses. The patient has the right to review the records about his/her care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by the law.
Research Projects – The patient has the right to be informed if the facility proposes to engage in or perform research associated with his/her care of plan. The patient has the right to refuse participation in any research project.
Medical Records – The patient has the right to obtain copies or summaries of their medical records.
Second Opinion – The patient has the right to obtain a second opinion.
Conflicts of Interest – The patient has the right to be advised of any conflicts of interest their provider may have in respect to their care.
Continuity of Care – The patient should be able to expect that their provider will cooperate in coordinating medically indicated care with other health care professionals, and that the provider will not discontinue treating them when further treatment is medically indicated without giving them sufficient notice and reasonable assistance in making alternatives arrangements for care.
PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Providing Information – The patient has the responsibility to provide to their best knowledge, accurate and complete information about present symptoms, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters related to the patients’ health.
Respect – The patient has the responsibility to respect the rights of other patients, health care personnel, and providers. The patient has the responsibility to be considerate on the property of other persons and of the facility.
Compliance – The patient has the responsibility to comply with his/her medical treatment plan, including follow-up care, recommended by health care providers. This includes keeping scheduled appointments and notifying the patient’s Mendota Health Care Team within 24 hours if any appointment needs to be rescheduled. The patient is responsible for: telling their doctors or caregivers if they expect problems in following prescribed treatments; reporting all changes in their condition; to understand their health- if you have questions or need help understanding ask your doctor or other medical staff members to discuss them with you. The patient must accept full responsibility for your decisions and your health care if you refuse treatment.