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PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patience Health Care Services complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, culture, language, religion, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, age, gender/sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, or ability to pay.

We want to encourage you, as a patient at Patience Health Care Services, LLC. to speak openly with your health care team, take part in your treatment choices, and promote your own safety by being well informed and involved in your care. Because we want you to think of yourself as a partner in your care, we want you to know your rights as well as your responsibilities during your stay at our hospital. We invite you and your family to join us as active members of your care team.

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right to receive considerate, respectful and compassionate care in a safe setting regardless of your race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, language, or ability to pay.

You have the right to receive care treatment and services that are adequate, appropriate and in compliance with state, local, and federal law and regulation. You have the right to be provided care in a safe environment free from all forms of abuse and neglect, including verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse. You have the right to be told the names and jobs of the health care team members involved in your care if staff safety is not a concern.

You have the right to have respect shown for your personal values, beliefs and wishes.

You have the right to be provided a list of protective and advocacy services when needed.

You have the right to have a family member or designated representative and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.

You have the right to be involved in your plan of care, including the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. You may include family and friends, with your permission in these decisions. If you leave the hospital against the advice of your doctor, the hospital and doctors will not be responsible for any medical consequences that may occur.

You have the right to be screened, assessed, and treated for pain. You have the right to be involved in decisions about treating your pain.

In accordance with hospital visitation policies, you have the right to have an individual of your choice remain with you for emotional support during your hospital stay, choose the individuals who may visit you and change your mind about the individuals who may visit.

You have the right to appoint an individual of your choice to make health care decisions for you, in the event that you are unable to do so.

You have the right to make or change an advance directive. If you do not have an advance directive, we can provide you with information and help you complete one.

You have the right to give informed consent before any non-emergency care is provided, including the benefits and risks of the care, alternatives to the care, and the benefits and risks of the alternatives to the care.

You have the right to allow or refuse to allow picture-taking for purposes other than for your care.

You have the right to expect privacy and confidentiality in care discussions and treatments.  

You can expect that all communication and records about your care are confidential, unless disclosure is permitted by law. You have the right to see or get a copy of your medical records. You may add information to your medical record by contacting the Health Information Management Department. 

You have the right to access your medical records in accordance with HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

You have a right to be provided a copy of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Notice of Privacy Practices.  

If you or your family member needs to discuss an ethical issue related to your care, a member of the Ethics Committee is available to assist. You may request a consultation.

You have the right to receive information in a manner that is understandable by the patient, which may include: i) Sign and foreign language interpreters; ii) Alternative formats, including large print; braille; audio recordings; and computer files; and iii) Vision, speech, hearing, and other temporary aids as needed without charge.

The agency provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:

• qualified interpreters

• information written in other languages.

If you need these services, contact your nurse or care provider. If you believe that Patience Health Care Services LLC has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way, you can file a grievance with the director of Guest Relations for whom contact information is provided below.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, 

or by mail or phone at:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 509F, HHH Building

Washington, D.C. 20201

1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)

Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html

You have a right to file a complaint about care and have the complaint reviewed without the complaint affecting the patient's care.

If you have a problem or complaint, you may talk with your doctor, nurse, manager or other department manager. If you wish to talk to someone outside the department, you may also contact the Patient Experience Department.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

You are expected to provide complete and accurate information, including your full name, address, home telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, insurance carrier and employer when it is required.

You should provide Patience Health Care Services, LLC., or your doctor with a copy of your advance directive if you have one.

You are expected to provide complete and accurate information about your health and medical history, including present condition, past illnesses, hospital stays, medicines, vitamins, herbal products and any other matters that pertain to your health, including perceived safety risks.

You are expected to ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment plan, you are responsible for telling your doctor. You are responsible for outcomes if you do not follow care, treatment and service plans.

You are expected to actively participate in your pain management plan and to keep your doctors and nurses informed of the effectiveness of your treatment.

You are asked to please remove valuables to a safe place in your home.  Patience Health Care Services is not responsible for valuables or belongings that you keep in plain sight during the hours of your home care visit.

You are expected to treat all Patience Health Care Services staff, other patients and visitors with courtesy and respect; abide by all Patience Health Care Services’ rules and safety regulations.

You are expected to provide complete and accurate information about your health insurance coverage and to pay your bills in a timely manner if applicable.

Consistent with Maryland law, patients and their families and friends are responsible for obtaining the consent of all participants before recording or videoing a conversation of them in person or on the phone. Physicians, nurses and all other staff are legally entitled to decline being recorded.