This Facility adopts and affirms as policy the following rights of patient/clients who receive services from our facility.  The facility will provide the patient or the patient’s representative verbal and written notice of such rights in advance of the procedure in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 416.50, and these patient rights will be posted within the facility in the facility’s waiting room(s).

The patient rights are as follows:

• Treatment without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political belief, or handicap.  It is our intention to treat each patient as a unique individual in a manner that recognizes their basic human rights.
• Patients will be treated with respect, consideration, and dignity.
• Considerate and respectful care including consideration of psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural variables that influence the perceptions of illness.
• You are free to choose another provider and/or facility.
• Obtain from the person responsible for your health care complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and expected outlook in terms and language you can be reasonably expected to understand to assure continuity of care.
• Receive information of services available at the organization, and information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, except for emergency situations.  This information shall include as a minimum an explanation of the specific procedure or treatment itself, its value and significant risks, and an explanation of other appropriate treatment methods, if any.
• The patient may elect to refuse treatment.  In this event, the patient must be informed of the medical consequences of this action.  In the case of a patient who is mentally incapable of making a rational decision, approval will be obtained from the guardian, next-of-kin, or other person legally entitled or designated by the patient, to give such approval.  The facility will make every effort to inform the patient of alternative facilities for treatment if we are unable to provide the necessary treatment.
• The facility will provide the patient or patient representative with the facilities policies and description of the State health and safety laws on advance directives, and upon request, refer you to resources for general information on how to formulate an advance directive, including where to obtain the official State advance directive form, and appointing a surrogate to make health care decisions on your behalf, to the extent permitted by law.  Access to health care at this facility will not be conditioned upon the existence of an advance directive.
• Privacy to the extent consistent with adequate medical care.  Case discussions, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly.
• Privacy and confidentiality of all records pertaining to your treatment, except as otherwise provided by law or third party payment contract.
• The identity, upon request, of all health care personnel and health care institutions authorized to assist in your treatment.
• Refuse to participate in research or be advised if your personal physician and/or facility propose to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his/her care or treatment. Refusal to participate or discontinuation of participation will not compromise the patient’s right to access care, treatment or services.
• Upon patient request, examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill including an itemized bill for services received, regardless of sources of payment.
• Know the facility’s rules and regulations that apply to your conduct as a patient.
• Be advised of the facility grievance process, should he or she wish to communicate a concern regarding the quality of the care he or she receives, failure of care, or if he or she feels the determined discharge date is premature.  Notification of the grievance process includes: who to contact to file a grievance, and that he or she will be provided with a written notice of the grievance determination that contains the name of the contact person, the steps taken on his or her behalf to investigate the grievance, the results of the grievance and the grievance completion date.
• Complaint or criticisms will not serve to compromise future access to care at this facility.  Staff will gladly advise you of procedures for registering complaints or to voice grievances including but not limited to grievances regarding treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished.
• Access and copy information in the medical record at any time during or after the course of treatment. If patient is incompetent, the record will be made available to his/her guardian.
• Expect to be cared for in a safe setting regarding: patient environmental safety, infection control, security and freedom from abuse or harassment and freedom from use of restraints unless medically reasonable issues have been assessed and pose a greater health risk without restraints.
• Participate in the development, implementation and revision of his/her care plan.
• A reasonable response to your request for services customarily rendered by the facility, and consistent with your treatment.
• Expect reasonable continuity of care and be informed, by the person responsible for your health care, of possible continuing health care requirements following discharge, if any.
• The identity, upon request, of all health care personnel and healthcare institutions authorized to assist in your treatment.
• The identity, upon request, any absence of malpractice coverage if applicable.
• Receive care, free of restraints unless medically reasonable issues have been accessed and pose a greater health risk without restraints.