Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights

Receive appropriate care, treatment and consideration
Be treated with dignity and respect
Participate actively in decisions regarding health care
Receive full consideration of privacy during health care and treatment. Have confidential handling of all communications and records. Receive a reasonable response to any reasonable request
Receive complete information about health condition, proposed treatment, and alternatives, including nontreatment or second opinion, in order to give "informed consent" or to refuse treatment
Leave the hospital at any time, even against medical advice, unless you have a contagious disease
Be informed about continuing health care requirements

Know and utilize basic first aid skills. Seek professional care when appropriate
Cooperate with health care provider
Make preferences known clearly. Keep personal and family records and share them with health care provider.
Question the reason for the presence of anyone not directly involved in care
Ask what information is public record and can be released without written permission
Seek additional information if request not honored
Refuse service from unidentified personnel
Ask for clarification of anything not understood. Understand risks of treatment and nontreatment. Understand the intended effects of a prescribed drug, in addition to known side effects
Sign "Leave the Hospital Against Medical Advice" form, if that is your decision
Examine your bill. Ask for an explanation of care and treatment costs
Accept responsibility for health care and recovery. Utilize community resources as needed
Know your insurance plan and its coverage
Tell your physician's office staff if you have a change of address or insurance coverage