Patient’s Rights

You have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect, and to receive reasonable responses to appropriate service requests.
• Access clear and effective communication in your preferred language, with free interpretation or translation services provided, and accommodations for vision, hearing, speech, or cognitive impairments. Information should be simple and clear to support informed consent.
• Have your cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected.
• Maintain personal privacy, including the confidentiality of your health information, and to receive a notice of the facility’s privacy practices.
• Receive appropriate pain management.
• Have accommodations made for your religious or spiritual practices.
• Access, amend, and obtain information about disclosures of your health information in compliance with laws and regulations within a reasonable timeframe.
• Have a family member, friend, or support person present during your stay unless it infringes on others’ rights, safety, or medical considerations.
• Receive care and services without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.
• Participate in decisions about your care, including treatment planning, discharge planning, and ensuring your personal physician and family are promptly informed of your admission.
• Choose post-discharge providers of goods and services.
• Refuse care, treatment, or services, as permitted by law, and to leave the facility against medical advice.
• Have a surrogate decision-maker assist in care decisions when you are unable to make them yourself.
• Be informed about the outcomes of your care, including unexpected results.
• Provide or withhold informed consent for your care, treatment, and services, including risks, benefits, side effects, and potential alternatives.
• Decide on the use of recordings, videos, or images of you for non-care-related purposes.
• Choose to participate or decline involvement in research or clinical trials without affecting access to other care.
• Know the names and roles of the practitioners responsible for your care.
• Create and update advance directives regarding end-of-life care, and have those directives respected to the extent allowed by law and facility capabilities.
• Be protected from neglect, exploitation, and any form of verbal, mental, physical, or sexual abuse.
• Be in a safe environment that supports dignity and self-image.
• Be free from seclusion or restraints unless they are the least restrictive option necessary to ensure safety and are not used for discipline, convenience, or retaliation.
• Access protective and advocacy services, with a list of these resources available upon request.
• Receive visitors of your choice, including spouses, domestic partners, family members, or friends, and set preferences if visitation restrictions are required. You may also refuse or withdraw consent for visitors at any time.
• Review and understand billing details for services received, regardless of the payment source.
• Access to appropriate emergency medical care if a situation arises during your visit or procedure.
• Be discharged only when medically appropriate and to receive clear and detailed discharge instructions to ensure your safety and well-being at home.
• Receive information about available financial assistance programs or payment plans for services rendered.
• Request and review facility policies related to your care, including patient rights and grievance procedures.
• Lodge complaints about your care or experience without fear of retaliation and to receive a timely response.
• Expect the facility to collaborate with other healthcare providers for seamless coordination of your care before, during, and after your procedure.
• Receive information to help you understand your condition, treatment options, and steps to promote recovery and health maintenance.
• Be informed of estimated costs for procedures and services before they are performed, where possible, and understand potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Patient’s Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and thorough information about your current medical condition, past illnesses, hospitalizations, and any other relevant health details.
• Communicating with your caregivers if you have questions or do not fully understand your care plan.
• Adhering to the instructions and guidance provided by your healthcare team.
• Respecting medical center policies and procedures while being mindful of the rights of other patients, staff, and the facility’s property.
• Inform your healthcare team of any changes in your health condition, including new symptoms or reactions to treatment.
• Actively ask questions if you need clarification or more information about your procedure, recovery, or medications.
• Adhering to pre-operative and post-operative instructions, including fasting requirements, activity restrictions, and medication guidance.
• Arranging for a responsible adult to accompany you home after your procedure if required, as many outpatient surgeries involve anesthesia.
• Ensuring timely payment of bills and communicate with the billing office regarding financial concerns, insurance coverage, or payment plans.
• Arriving on time for your scheduled procedure and notify the facility as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel.
• Following all safety protocols, including infection prevention measures, such as hand hygiene or masking, if applicable.
• Informing staff immediately if you observe unsafe conditions or have concerns about your care.