Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

At White Rock Medical Center, we deeply respect the dignity and pride of every individual under our care. We adhere to all applicable Federal civil rights laws and firmly oppose discrimination on any basis. Regardless of age, gender, disability, race, color, ancestry, citizenship, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, payment source or ability, we ensure equal access to our services for all. Patients and clients are informed of their rights and responsibilities prior to receiving or discontinuing care. We unequivocally uphold the following rights for all individuals who receive services at our facilities:

We prioritize compassionate and respectful care for all individuals:

• You have the right to receive ethical, high-quality, safe, and professional care without any form of discrimination.
• You deserve to be free from all types of abuse and harassment.
• You should be treated with consideration, respect, and acknowledgment of your individuality. This includes the right to privacy during treatment, as well as the option to request a person of your own gender to be present during certain parts of physical examinations or procedures performed by a health professional of the opposite sex, except in emergencies. Additionally, you have the right not to remain undressed any longer than necessary for the medical purpose for which you were asked to undress.

Information regarding health status and care:

• Patients have the right to receive clear and understandable information about their health status, and to actively participate in the development and implementation of their care and treatment plans.
• Patients should be informed of the names and roles of all healthcare providers involved in their direct care.
• Patients have the right to be educated about any necessary follow-up care upon discharge from the hospital, and to receive assistance in arranging such care from their physician and hospital staff.
• Patients must be informed of the potential risks, benefits, and side effects associated with prescribed medications and treatment procedures, especially those that are considered innovative or experimental.
• Patients have the right to be informed of all appropriate alternative treatment options.
• Patients are entitled to be informed of the outcomes of their care, treatment, and services.
• Patients have the right to receive appropriate assessment and management of their pain.
• Patients should be informed if other healthcare or educational institutions are involved in their treatment, and have the right to know the identity and role of these institutions. Patients may also choose to refuse their participation in treatment.

Decision making and notification

• Patients have the right to designate a healthcare representative or decision maker, and may choose to exclude certain family members from participating in their healthcare decisions.
• Patients should have their family member, chosen representative, or personal physician notified promptly upon admission to the hospital.
• Patients have the autonomy to request or refuse treatment, with the understanding that this right does not entitle them to demand medically unnecessary or inappropriate services.
• Patients must provide informed, written consent to participate in experimental research, including studies involving new drugs or medical devices. They also have the right to refuse participation in such research.
• Patients are entitled to formulate advance directives, and hospital staff and practitioners are obligated to comply with these directives.
• Patients have the right to leave the healthcare facility against their physician's advice, to the extent permitted by law.

Access to services:

• Patients have the right to receive timely and free services of translators, interpreters, and other necessary devices to facilitate communication with healthcare personnel. This includes qualified interpreters, written information in multiple languages, large print materials, and accessible electronic formats.
• Patients are permitted to bring service animals into the facility, except in areas where they are specifically prohibited according to facility policy.
• Patients have access to pastoral counseling and may participate in religious and social activities during their hospital stay, unless medically contraindicated.
• Patients are entitled to safe, secure, and sanitary accommodations, as well as a nourishing, well-balanced, and varied diet.
• Patients have the right to communicate with people outside the facility through verbal and written means.
• Patients should have accessibility to facility buildings and grounds in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• Patients can expect a prompt and reasonable response to their questions and service requests.
• Patients have the right to request a discharge planning evaluation to ensure appropriate transition of care upon leaving the hospital.

Access to medical records:

• Patients have the right to keep their medical records confidential, including all computerized medical information, and to access this information within a reasonable timeframe. Patients can also decide who may receive copies of their records, except as required by law.
• Upon leaving the healthcare facility, patients are entitled to obtain copies of their medical records.

Ethical decisions:

• Patients have the right to participate in ethical decisions that may arise during their care, including issues such as conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, foregoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, and participation in investigational studies or clinical trials.
• If the healthcare facility or its team determines that a patient's refusal of treatment prevents them from receiving appropriate care according to ethical and professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated.

Protective services:

• Patients have access to protective and advocacy services.
• Patients are entitled to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
• Patients receiving treatment for mental illness or developmental disability have additional rights provided by applicable state law.

Legal and civil rights:

• Patients have all legal and civil rights as a citizen unless otherwise prescribed by law.
• Patients have the right to request an impartial review of hazardous or irreversible surgical treatments prior to implementation, except in emergency procedures necessary to preserve life.
• Patients have the right to an impartial review of alleged violations of their rights.

Payment and administration:

• Patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of their healthcare facility's bill, regardless of the source of payment. They may also receive information relating to the availability of known financial resources upon request.
• Medicare-eligible patients have the right to know in advance of treatment whether the healthcare provider or facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate.
• Patients have the right to receive a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care prior to treatment.
• Patients should be informed in writing about facility policies and procedures for initiating, reviewing, and resolving patient complaints, including where complaints may be filed.

Additional patient rights:

• Patients may only be transferred to another facility except in emergencies, with a full explanation of the reason for transfer, provisions for continuing care, and acceptance by the receiving institution.
• Patients have the right to initiate contact with the media.
• Patients can request the opinion of another physician, including specialists, at their own expense.
• Patients have the right to wear appropriate personal clothing and religious or other symbolic items, as long as they do not interfere with diagnostic procedures or treatment.
• Patients may request a transfer to another room if disturbed by another patient or visitor, and may request pet visitation in accordance with facility policies.

Patient Responsibilities

• Patients play a crucial role in their own care and treatment, and therefore have certain responsibilities in addition to their rights. These responsibilities should be approached with mutual trust and respect.
• Patients are responsible for providing accurate and complete information about their health status, medical history, hospitalizations, medications, and other relevant matters concerning their health.
• Patients should promptly report any perceived risks in their care or unexpected changes in their condition to the responsible practitioner.
• Patients are responsible for understanding the proposed course of action and what is expected of them, and for asking questions when they lack understanding.
• Patients are expected to follow the plan of care established by their physician, including the instructions of nurses and other health professionals.
• Patients should keep appointments or notify the facility or physician if they are unable to do so.
• Patients are responsible for their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow their physician's orders.
• Patients should ensure that their financial obligations for healthcare services are fulfilled promptly.
• Patients are expected to adhere to facility policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Patients should be considerate of the rights of other patients and facility personnel.
• Patients should respect their personal property and that of others in the facility.
• Patients should assist staff in assessing pain, requesting relief promptly, discussing relief options and expectations with caregivers, developing a pain management plan, and communicating concerns about pain medication.
• Patients should inform the facility of any violations of patient rights or safety concerns, including perceived risks in their care and unexpected changes in their condition.

Visitation Rights

• Patients have the right to be fully informed of their visitation rights, including any clinical restrictions or limitations.
• Patients have the right to designate visitors, which may include spouses, domestic partners (including same-sex partners), family members, and friends. Visitors shall not be denied visitation privileges based on age, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability. All visitors shall enjoy equal visitation privileges, except for clinically necessary or reasonable restrictions as determined by the facility.
• Patients have the right to receive visits from their attorney, physician, or clergyperson at any reasonable time.
• Patients have the right to speak privately with anyone they wish, subject to hospital visiting regulations, unless medically advised otherwise by a doctor.
• Patients have the right to refuse visitors.
• Media representatives and photographers must contact the hospital spokesperson for access to the hospital.

Visitors are welcome: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Visits from loved ones are therapeutic and we support such visits, while being mindful to keep all patients, visitors and staff members safe.

Visitor Guidelines:

• Visitors are welcome during designated visiting hours.
• As you come inside, please use the hand sanitizer as you enter, and again when entering or leaving a patient room.
• Exceptions, such as visitors for end-of-life care, minors or individuals with special needs, will be addressed by the unit where care is delivered.

If you have any questions, please talk to your nurse or unit manager for help with visiting hours and guidelines.