Patient Rights

You have the right to:

• Compassionate and respectful care, and to be free from any form of abuse, neglect or harassment.
• Appropriate assessment and management of your pain.
• Discuss with your physician your diagnosis and prognosis, the treatment prescribed for you, and any instructions required for follow-up care.
• Receive from your physician the information necessary to give informed consent prior to any procedures and/or treatment.
• Make decisions regarding your own health care, and to be involved in the development and implementation of your treatment plan, including the management of your pain.
• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and current ethical standards, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your decision.
• Have your personal privacy respected, and your individual dignity and comfort preserved.
• The confidentiality of all communications and records pertaining to your care.
• Access the information contained in your medical record.
• Reasonable access to care, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, diagnosis, handicap, ability to pay or source of payment, within the capacity of the hospital.
• Know the names and professional status of the physicians, nurses and staff responsible for your care.
• Obtain information about any relationship the hospital and physicians have with other institutions and physicians insofar as your care is concerned.
• Have clinical decisions regarding your treatment based solely on your identified health care needs.
• Refuse to participate in research projects, and to full disclosure of the procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives if you decide to participate.
• Reasonable continuity of care.
• Examine, and receive an explanation of your bill.
• Know what rules and regulations apply to you as a patient.
• Request consultation or second opinion from another physician or specialist.
• Change physicians and/or hospitals
• Have a family member or other representative, and your family physician, notified promptly when you are admitted to the hospital.
• Have your spiritual needs addressed, either by they Pastoral Care staff or by having your pastor or faith community contacted at your request.
• Reasonable safety, and to access protective services, during your stay.
• Be free from physical restraint, seclusion, and drugs used as a restraint, unless your medical condition warrants such use and other, less restrictive interventions, have been deemed ineffective.
• Be free of any restraint used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation.
• File a grievance with hospital administration.
• File a grievance with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Division of Health Facilities, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA  50319; telephone (515) 281-4115
• File a grievance with the Office of Quality Monitoring, The Joint Commission at (800) 994-6610 or complaint@jointcommission.org.