Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
We are the doctors, nurses and staff of Dr. John Warner Hospital. These are our promises to you:
- We will tell you the truth.
- We will listen to you.
- We will treat you with personal dignity and privacy.
- We want you to help us decide the best ways to take care of you and help us with your plan of care.
- You may talk freely with the health care team. What you say will not be told to others unless it is important to your care and safety.
We will tell you:
- Who we are.
- What we do at the hospital.
- Why we have entered your room.
- Why you are here and your health status.
- What the health care team thinks will help you.
To help us keep our promises and to help us with your care, PLEASE... Be honest with us. Tell us:
- Your health and what is was like before now.
- Any changes you notice about how you are feeling.
- Any medications you take.
- Your family's needs or worries.
- Any religious, cultural or special physical needs.
Help in your care by doing the following:
- Tell us your ideas about how we care for you.
- Follow the directions of your doctors, nurses and others taking care of you.
- Let us know when you cannot follow our directions.
- Learn what you can do to take care of yourself.
- Keep your appointments, be on time and let us know if you must change your appointment.
Ask us questions about:
- The papers you are being asked to sign.
- Any words we use that you do not understand.
- Why you are here and what we are doing for you.
- How we can ease your pain.
- How to get where you want to go in the hospital.
We care about you no matter:
- What your race or religion is.
- If you are a boy or a girl, man or woman.
- Where you were born.
- What you can or cannot do.
- What you look like.
- How much money you have.
As a patient, you have the right to:
- Request and receive a printed copy of your hospital charges and have them explained to you.
- Express complaints and grievances and expect that they will be investigated within a reasonable period of time.
- Know what alternatives exist for your care and treatment when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
- To the extent permitted by law, you can leave the hospital even against the advice of your physician. Should you do so, however, neither your physician nor the hospital will be responsible for whatever harm such action may cause you or others.
- Clear and concise explanations of your condition and all proposed procedures, including the possibility of any risks, problems or side effects which may result.
While your health is our first concern, you are responsible for your hospital bill. You need to do the following:
- Find a way to pay for your bill as soon as possible.
- Ask for help if you have a problem paying your bill.
- Give us any records or forms that your insurance company needs to pay your bill.
We respect you:
- We will provide care for you in a safe setting, free from abuse or harassment.
- You have the right to be free from restraint or seclusion of any form that is not medically necessary.
- You have the right to formulate an advance directive such as a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare and have hospital staff comply with your directives.
- If you hurt, we will do what we can to help you feel better in a safe way.
- If we ask you to be part of an experiment or research, you can say yes or no.
- Your family and friends can be with you when the hospital rules say its okay. If you wish, we will help limit their visits.
- Your records will be kept confidential, unless you have given permission to release such information or reporting is required or permitted by law.
- We will respect your privacy. We will be as gentle as possible when we care for you.
Respect us, other patients and families:
- Give other patients and families privacy
- Limit your visitors and observe visiting hours.
- Keep the volume of your radio, television, tape player and video games at a level that will not bother others.
- Take care of hospital property.
- Do not use foul or abusive language.
- Never hit or threaten another patient, family member or staff member.
Follow our rules and regulations by doing the following:
- Leave your valuables at home.
- Use only medications your doctor says you should use.
- Keep our hospital smoke-free, alcohol-free and free of illegal drugs
- Use hospital supplies with care and ask what is yours to take home.
- Never bring a weapon into the hospital.
We will help when you are ready to go home:
- We will help you and your family learn how to take care of you after you leave the hospital.
- If you need care that we cannot give, we will help you safely get to a hospital that can give the care you need.
- If you wish, you can go to another hospital. We will help you figure out how to do this safely.
If you think we have not kept our promises, tell your doctor or nurse so we can work together to solve the problem:
- If you tell us you are sad or angry about a broken promise, we will still give you good care.