Patient Rights & Responsibilities

STRHS-Sewanee supports, protects, and promotes each patient's rights. A written copy of the hospital's statement of the patients' rights and responsibility is given to each patient when they register to receive care and as needed thereafter. The patient service brochure also defines patients' rights and is provided to each patient that receives care. The Notice of Privacy Practices brochure addresses the patient's rights associated with their personal health information.

Policies and procedures are in place to support the processes by which staff members interact and care for patients and provide the framework that addresses and supports patient rights and organizational ethics.

Patient Rights

• • • To respect your needs and wishes, and strive to work cooperatively with you in providing services.
    • Considerate and respectful care, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, physical or mental handicap or national origin.
    • Upon admission or as soon as possible, the name of the physician(s) or other practitioner(s) primarily responsible for your care, treatment, and services.
    • To be informed the name of the physician(s) or other practitioner(s) who will provide care, treatment and services.
    • Answers to any questions you may have regarding treatment, procedures, tests, or surgery scheduled for you.
    • Our support that you make decisions with your physician about your health care, including accepting or refusing care as permitted by law. (If you do refuse treatment, you doctor should explain the medical consequences to you.)
    • Information that would allow you to make your own healthcare decisions for the future (advance directives, such as Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorneys for Healthcare and Proxies), and that our providing care to you will not be conditioned on whether you have advanced directives. If you have an advance directive, we need for you to bring it to us so that we may place it in your medical record.
    • To work with you on matters of personal comfort and dignity, and to be especially considerate of needs of patients at the end of life.
    • Information about any experimental or research activities that involve your treatment. You may choose to participate or refuse any such projects, and should make these decisions with your physicians.
    • Privacy and confidentiality as appropriate with your medical records and in all care areas as you undergo tests or treatment.
    • An explanation to any questions regarding your hospital charges and our billing procedures, regardless of your ability to pay.
    • To allow the patient to keep and use personal clothing and possessions unless this infringes on others rights or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
    • An opportunity to express any concerns about your hospitalization without hesitation, but with the confidence that we want to assist you and provide for your comfort. This opportunity is extended to you and to your family, or to your legally appointed representative.
    • Information that will allow you to give informed consent prior to the initiation of any procedure and/or treatment.
    • The same rights for neonates, child and adolescent patients, and their parents or legal guardians as for adult patients.
    • Reasonable continuity of care and to be informed of any continuing health care requirements following discharge.
    • Information regarding the hospitals' rules and regulations for patients.
    • Medical Ethics Committee: In this age of high technology, ethical dilemmas confront patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff. Such dilemmas may include deciding appropriate initiation or termination of life-sustaining treatment when death is imminent. The Medical Ethics Committee may serve as a resource to you in addressing these issues. You can request the committee's assistance by asking your physician, your nurse, or calling 967-8263 or the hospital operator.
    • Policies related to the patient's privacy rights are found in the Patient Care Manual, Tab 15, Policies HIPAA.PRI.006 Patient Right to Access; HIPAA.PRI.007 Accounting of Disclosures; HIPAA.PRI.008 Amendment of Protected Information; and HIPAA.PRI.009 Alternate Confidential Communications.

Neonatal/Pediatric Rights

We are committed to quality, patient centered care for every patient, including infants and
children whose parents or guardians will be expected to speak for them.

Rights Regarding Pain Management

As a patient at this hospital, you can expect:

• • • Information about pain and pain relief measures
    • A concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management
    • Health professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain
    • Health professional who believe your reports of pain

As a patient at this hospital, we expect that you will:

• • • Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management
    • Discuss pain relief with your doctor and nurse
    • Work with your doctor and nurse to develop a pain management plan
    • Tell your doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved
    • Tell your doctor or nurse about any cultural/ethnic considerations that effect your pain management needs

Patient Responsibilities

• • • Giving your doctor and the hospital staff complete and accurate information about your condition and care.
    • Following your doctor's orders and instructions and the hospital staff's instructions for your care.
    • Periodically reviewing any advance directive for healthcare choices you may have with your family, physician, and the person you have selected to represent you.
    • Bringing as updated copy of your advance directive (such as Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare or Proxy) to be place in your medical record at the time of admission.
    • Accepting responsibility for refusing treatment. Ask your physician about the risks and consequences of refusal, including other available options, prior to making decisions.
    • Placing in the hospital safe or sending home all valuables. Also, when requested, taking off personal items such as dentures, glasses, hearing aids, as needed for specific procedures.
    • Using hospital equipment and facilities carefully so that they remain in good condition for others to use.
    • Being considerate of hospital staff who are caring for you. A mutual spirit of respect and cooperation allows us to serve you best.
    • Respecting other patients' needs for privacy and quiet. Consider them when using your television, radio, or telephone.
    • Asking your family and other visitors to help you observe visiting hours and limiting the number of visitors respectfully. Ask your nurse for visiting guidelines.
    • Observing the no smoking policy.
    • Supplying insurance information and pay your bill promptly so we can continue to serve you and the community effectively.