Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

Our commitment to our patients is to ensure that their privacy is protected, their rights are respected, and their individuality and dignity are maintained. All patients at Jackson Purchase Medical Center have the right:

- - To reasonable access to care regardless of race, creed, sex, age, national origin or sources of payment for care;
  - To considerate and respectful care that recognizes your personal value and belief systems;
  - To informed participation in decisions with your physician and others providing your care;
  - To personal privacy and confidentiality of information;
  - To designate a representative decision maker in the event you are incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or procedures or are unable to communicate your wishes regarding care;
  - To informed participation in any human experimentation or other research/educational projects affecting your care;
  - To expect reasonable safety regarding hospital practices and environment;
  - To know the identity and professional status of individuals providing your care;
  - To know the information about the nature of your illness and prognosis and how the hospital will provide the necessary care;
  - To an interpreter when you do not speak or understand the predominate language of the community;
  - To consult with an independent specialist at your own request and expense;
  - To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law;
  - To directly access the Ethics Committee to assist in resolution of conflicts that may arise in the provision of your care;
  - To an explanation of the need for any transfer to another facility and of the alternatives to such a transfer;
  - To be informed regarding any continuing health requirements following discharge from the hospital;
  - To request and receive an itemized explanation of the total bill for services rendered in the hospital and notification prior to termination of eligibility for reimbursement by a third party for the cost of care;
  - To be free from physical or mental abuse and corporal punishment;
  - To access, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosure of his/her health information in accordance with the law and regulations;
  - To be informed of hospital rules and regulations applicable to conduct as a patient and about the hospital's mechanism for the initiation, review and resolution of patient complaints;
  - All patients have a right to pain management.

Patient Responsibilities

Provision of Information

A patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his health. He has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his condition to the responsible practitioner. A patient is responsible for reporting whether he clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him.

Asking Questions

Patients are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about their care or what they are expected to do.

Compliance with Instructions

A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care, implement the responsible practitioner's orders and enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations.

The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when he is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient is responsible for his actions if he refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner's instructions.

Hospital Charges

The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Hospital Rules and Regulations

The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Respect and Consideration

The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital.