Patient Bill of Rights

1. To receive considerate, respectful care from all members of the health care industry at all times, under any circumstance, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, age, handicap, marital status, sexual preference, or sources of payment. There will be impartial access to treatment.  This includes access to emergency health services when and where the need arises.
2. To have Hillsdale Community Health Center support and protect the basic human, civil, constitutional rights and statutory rights of each patient.  The patient may exercise their rights while receiving care or treatment in the hospital without coercion, discrimination, or retaliation.
3. To have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her physician notified promptly of his /her admission to the hospital.  
4. To having a surrogate (parent, legal guardian, person with medical power of attorney) exercise the patient’s rights when the patient is incapable of doing so, without coercion, discrimination, or retaliation.
5. To be treated with respect, consideration, and dignity in all circumstances.
6. To be fully informed in advance of care or treatment and to actively participate in the planning of his or her care.
7. To personal and informational privacy, including confidentiality of clinical records.
8. To receive accurate, easily understood information to assist them in making informed decisions about their health plans.
9. To formulate advance directives and to be informed about any hospital policy that may limit implementation of a legally valid advance directive.  
10. To know the identity and professional status of his/her caregivers and the right to chose the provider sufficient to assure access to quality health care.  
11. To be advised if the hospital proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his/her care or treatment and the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
12. To receive prompt and appropriate assessment and management of pain.
13. To receive care in a safe setting.
14. To be free of any form of seclusion or restraints that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
15. To be free of any form of abuse or harassment.
16. To have visitors and communicate with people outside the hospital when medically appropriate.
17. To pastoral care and spiritual services.  
18. To have access to protective services.
19. To consent or refuse treatment after being adequately informed of the benefits and risks of, and alternatives to treatment.
20. To know the reasons for any proposed change in the Professional Staff responsible for his/her care.
21. To access information contained in his/her medical record and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary.  
22. To expect that the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby he/she is informed by his/her physician or delegate of the patient’s continuing health care requirements following discharge.
23. To know what hospital rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient and to be informed about the hospital mechanism for initiation, review, and resolution of patient complaints.  The process will be fair and efficient and may include rigorous internal review and independent external review.
24. To know the reasons for his/her transfer either within or outside of the hospital.
25. To information regarding hospital charges, available payment options, and notice of non-coverage.  To request and examine an explanation of his/her bill regardless of source of payment.
26. To be informed of the source of the facility’s reimbursement for his/her services, and of any limitations which may be placed upon his/her care.
27. To know the relationships of the facility to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of his/her care and treatment.
28. Receive interpretation for individuals who speak languages other than English.