PATIENT’S RIGHTS

PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality of Care

You have the right to quality care at professional standards.  You will be treated in a respectful, courteous, and considerate manner.

Courtesy

You have the responsibility to value your health and keep all appointments.  You should notify the receptionist when possible if you cannot keep the appointment.

Economy of Care

You have the right to receive efficient, economical care in an environment with respect for personal dignity and without regard to economic, educational, cultural, religious background and sexual orientation.

Consideration and Respect

You have the responsibility to be considerate and respectful of other patients and clinic staff; to obey clinic rules and regulations affecting patient care, conduct, and public health by assisting with control of noise, refrain from smoking, eating, and drinking while in the clinic.

Access to Information

You have the right to access medical information and to be able to understand diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.  You have the right to explanations of the bill regardless of source of payment and to access and possess copies of financial records, for which a reasonable fee may be required.

Reasonable Expectations

Recognize that the types and length of illnesses may vary, and that even with the best available care, outcomes may not always be satisfactory, but reasonable.

Medical Records

You have the right to access and possess copies of your medical records after your written permission is obtained, for which a reasonable fee may be required.

Information Reporting

You have the responsibility to give the physician correct and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to health, and to report changes in your conditions to a physician or nurse.

Informed Consent

You have the right to full disclosure of health information and available options about the proposed treatment plan or procedure.  This will enable you to understand the purpose of an informed consent, or to refuse any procedure or treatment to the extent permitted by law.

Education

You have the responsibility to become informed and knowledgeable about your body in health and disease.  Tell your physician, nurse, or other person caring for you if you do not understand what they are doing or what is expected of you.

Privacy

You have the right to confidentiality in handling communications, case discussions, consultations, examinations and records pertaining to your care.  These services are conducted discreetly except through authorized legal disclosure.  You have the right to privacy while receiving services or treatment.

Follow Through

You have the responsibility of following the informed consent and decision making process, to follow the instructions of the physician, nurses, and other persons treating you, to implement and follow through on treatment plans as prescribed, and to accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions.

Continuity of Care

You have the right to reasonable continuity of care that recognizes current requirements and future needs, and to instruction on how such care may be obtained, knowing in advance the time of an appointment as well as the physician providing care.

Prevention

You have the responsibility to be informed concerning preventive health measures, to begin appropriate health behavior, and to seek help at the earliest signs of illness.

Action on Grievances and Complaints

You have the right to be informed of available resources for resolving grievances or complaints in a timely fashion.  A patient spokesperson will be available upon request.

Financial Obligation

You have the responsibility to accept and meet financial obligations incurred within the limits of your income.

Advance Directive

You have the right to have an advance directive (such as a living will, health care proxy, or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) concerning treatment or designating a surrogate decision maker with the expectation that the clinic will honor the intent of that directive to the extent permitted by the law and clinic policy.  All patient rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on behalf of the patient.