My Rights & Responsibilities

As a patient, you have certain rights.

These rights and responsibilities pertain to all ages of patients. Parents or guardians of newborns and children also have these rights and responsibilities.

1. The patient shall have access to treatment regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual preference, ethnic background or payment source.
2. The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of his/her personal dignity.
3. The patient has the right to a response from a complaint. Patients may discuss problems/complaints with their caregiver or may direct their concerns to the Quality Management Department to speak to a Patient Representative. Dial 794-5285, 794-5293, or 794-5294. The hospital will strive to resolve any concern within 7 days.
   If a resolution is not reached and the patient believes his/her rights have been violated, a complaint may be filed with the Department of Inspection and Appeals, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. 515-281-4115  EMAIL: webmaster@dia.iowa.gov
   A patient may contact the Quality Improvement organization regarding issues of quality care coverage decision or to appeal a premature discharge at Kenpro: 5201 W. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 900, Tampa, FL 33669, 1-855-408-8557
4. The patient has the right, within the law, to personal and informational privacy, as manifested by the following rights:The patient has a right to have a smoke free environment.
   • To refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with his/her care.
   • To wear appropriate personal clothing and religious or other symbolic items, that do not interfere with care.
   • To be interviewed and examined in privacy. To have a person of one’s own sex present during certain parts of the examination or treatment, and not to be disrobed any more or any longer than necessary.
   • To expect that any discussion involving his/her case will be conducted discreetly and that individuals not directly involved in his/her care will not be present without his/her permission.
   • To have his/her medical record read only by individuals directly involved in treatment or the monitoring of its quality. Other individuals can only read his/her medical record on his/her written authorization or that of a legally authorized representative.
   • To expect all communications and records pertaining to his/her care, including source of payment for treatment, to be treated as confidential.
5. The patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting.
6. The patient is to be free from restraints and seclusion of any form used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by the staff.  Restraint use is for ensuring immediate physical safety of patient, staff, or others and is discontinued at the earliest possible time.  The patient has the right to safe implementation of restraint/seclusion by trained staff.
7. The patient has the right to receive care in an environment that is free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment, or corporal punishment.
8. The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of practitioners caring for him/her and who are responsible for his/her care.
9. The patient has the right to access information contained in his/her clinical records within a reasonable time frame.
10. The patient has the right to a clear explanation of his/her diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment including health status, with all the risks involved and alternatives of care explained in terms he/she can understand, whereby he/she can make informed decisions. When not medically advisable to give this information to the patient, it is given to a legally authorized person.The patient has the right to have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her own physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital.
11. Patient has the right to be informed and involved in decisions involving planning and treatment, and to participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care.
12. Patient has the right to refuse participation in research/educational projects.
13. Patient shall not be subject to any treatment or procedure without this informed consent.
14. Patient has the right to request or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and deemed medically necessary or appropriate  and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action.
15. The patient has the right to verbal and written communications with persons outside the hospital. He/she will have access to an interpreter if he/she does not speak the predominant language, or if hearing impaired, access to a TDD for the hearing/speaking impaired.
16. The patient, at his/her own request and expense, has the right to consult with a specialist.
17. The patient has the right to establish a living will or to appoint a durable power of attorney and to specify that any part or all resuscitative measures be withheld and to have the hospital staff and practitioners comply with these requests.
18. The patient may not be transferred to another facility unless he/she has received a complete explanation of the need and the alternatives, and the other facility has accepted him/her.
19. The patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of pay source.
20. The patient has the right to have an appropriate assessment and management of pain.
21. The patient is responsible for providing complete and accurate information about his/her past and present condition, to report changes in his/her condition, and to report if he/she does not understand explanations.
22. The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan and instructions of physicians, nurses and others involved in his/her care. The patient is responsible for his/her actions if refusing treatment or fails to follow instructions.
23. The patient is responsible for assuring the financial obligations of his/her care as soon as possible.
24. The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations.
25. The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and for being respectful of other person’s property.