Patient Rights, Responsibilities, & Privacy

As a patient of South County Hospital, you have the right to:

• Safe and respectful care that is considerate and dignified.
  Information and treatment without discrimination based on age, race, color, culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, or sources of payment.
• Personal privacy and confidentiality of protected health information.
• Complete and current information, provided in a manner that meets your needs, about your condition, treatment and prognosis for recovery, if that information can be ascertained, and participate in decisions regarding the plan of care and outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.
• Refuse treatment in accordance with law and SCH policy.
• Regular assessment of your pain.
• Give or refuse informed consent to participate in human subjects research as required by law.
• Designate an individual to make decisions on your behalf.
• Complete and place an advance directive (a durable power of attorney for health care and/or living will) into your medical record.
• Access protective services such as guardianship and advocacy services, conservatorship, and child or adult protective services.
• Expect reasonable safety practices and a safe environment.
• The name of any individuals or institutions responsible for, or rendering care and treatment to you.
• Examine the health care facility’s rules and regulations that govern your treatment.
• Freedom from restraints and seclusion that are not medically necessary or that are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
• Access to visitors of your choosing, including the presence of someone you choose to give emotional support, telephone calls and mail unless it interferes with your care.
• Designate an individual(s) who is a non-family member(s) to be considered as immediate family for the purpose of granting extended visitation rights, verbally or in writing at any time throughout your admission. You may add or delete individuals from your medial record list at any time by notifying any member of the health care team.
• A reasonable response if your health care provider requests medical services for you or you request additional services.
• Upon your request and at your expense, have a consult with a specialist holding expertise in a particular field of care.
• Ask for pastoral and spiritual care.
• Be informed by your physician about the reasons for and alternatives to being transferred to another facility before it occurs.
• Receive information about hospice care.
• Request a discharge planning evaluation by the Case Management department.
• Be informed of the right to participate in the procuring and donation of organs and other tissues. The Hospital shall assist in collaboration with the organ procurement organization.
• Examine and obtain a copy of your medical records, at no charge in certain cases.
• Review your bill and be given an explanation of the charges, regardless of the source of payment; be provided with a summarized medical bill within 30 days of discharge, and an itemized bill upon request.
• Timely and reasonable notice prior to termination of your eligibility for reimbursement by a third-party payer.

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Give full and complete information regarding his/her condition, current medications, previous known health problems and health history, allergies, symptomatology and other healthcare-related matters, to enable their providers to render appropriate care and treatment.
• Report to their providers whether they clearly understand their proposed plan of treatment.
• Follow his/her treatment plan as coordinated by their providers.
• Take responsibility for their decision(s) upon a refusal to undergo treatment or to follow their provider’s instructions and directions.
• Not take any drugs unless they are prescribed by their provider and administered by staff.
• Treat staff and providers with respect, and use civil language. Threats, violence, disrespectful communication, or harassment of other patients, visitors, staff, or provider for any reason will not be tolerated.
• Be considerate of other patients and their visitors, particularly respecting privacy, and keeping noise at a reasonable level. It is suggested that each patient have no more than two visitors at a single time; if visitors are disturbing to any patient, they may be asked to leave.
• Keep all appointments and provide advance notice if unable to keep an appointment.
• Inform staff if they have prepared advance directives (“Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care” and/or “Living Will”) and provide a copy to the facility.
• Provide complete insurance information.
• Insure that the financial obligations resulting from their health care are fulfilled as promptly and fully as possible.
• Take responsibility for their personal items; it is suggested that patients leave valuables at home or send them home with family.
• Follow all other SCH rules and regulations as may be applicable.