Patient Rights and Responsibilities

We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your physician and other health care professionals, you help make sure your care is as effective as possible. We encourage respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual.

While you are a patient here, your rights include the following:

• To have considerate and respectful care.
• To be well-informed about all aspects of your condition.
• To know the names and roles of the people treating you.
• To consent or refuse recommended treatments.
• To have an advance directive.
• The right to confidentiality.
• To review your medical record and have it explained to you.
• To expect that MCHHS will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended or requested; you will be informed of the risks, benefits and alternatives. You will not be transferred until another institution agrees to accept you.
• To know if MCHHS has relationships with outside parties, such as educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers that may influence your treatment.
• To know about rules that affect you and your treatment.
• To know about charges and payment methods.
• To know about resources such as patient representatives or ethics committees that can help resolve problems and questions about your care.
• To be informed of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate. Please ask any staff member if you should have a question about exercising your patient rights. They will put you in touch with the appropriate staff to assist you.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Just as you have rights as a patient, you also have responsibilities. You have the responsibility to:

• Ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
• Recognize the effect of life-style on your personal health. Your health depends not just on your hospital care, but in the long-term decisions you make in your personal life.
• Tell your doctor if you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment.
• Be considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital and insist that your visitors show that same consideration.
• Provide information for insurance and work with MCHHS to arrange payment, when needed.