Patient Rights and Responsibilities

This hospital has certain duties. The basic rights of patients involving expression, decision and action must be protected, and we must show concern for our patients' dignity and human relationships. This Hospital must work to make sure that these rights are upheld for our patients. This hospital also has the right to expect certain kinds of behavior from our patients. Patients, relatives, and friends should behave reasonably and correctly.

Every patient has the right:

• To just and fair access to the resources of the hospital without any regard to race, color, nation of origin, age, gender, handicap or
  disabling condition, spiritual beliefs, or financial status.
• To respectful and kind care.
• To humane care that always makes matters of personal comfort and dignity a priority.
• To be told about one's health care, and to participate in decisions involving care. Patients have the right to consent to any treatment they receive.
• To information about Advance Directives (Living Wills and/or Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare). These documents allow the patient to make personal health care decisions for the future and to assign someone to make decisions for them.
• To know that having or not having an Advance Directive cannot change the way care is given.
• To refuse treatment or have treatment withdrawn, as far as the law allows, and to be told how such actions would change their medical status.
• To get information about medical care written in easily understood language.
• To express concerns about medical care without delay. This right also extends to family members or the representative of the patient and will not change current or future care.
• To express concerns to a medical caregiver if the patient's religion, culture, or ethics cause uncertainty or a problem.
• To information about research or experiments that might change the patient's treatment.
• To privacy and confidentiality in all patient care areas.
• To know who provides immediate, direct care.
• To information about the charges of services performed by this health care facility.

You have the responsibility:

• To give complete and accurate information about your condition and care.
• To follow doctor's orders and instructions and the staff's instructions. This responsibility includes the keeping of appointments
• To let a doctor or nurse know if your condition changes.
• To bring an updated Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare to be placed in the medical record as soon as possible.
• To accept what happens if you refuse treatment.
• To consider the needs and desires of other patients by following all hospital rules and regulations, especially those concerning smoking, noise, visitors, and general conduct.
• To accept financial obligations caused by receiving care.
• If not happy with your care, to tell an employee of the facility.
• To treat staff members with respect.

Complaints:

We hope that you have a positive experience while in the hospital. However, sometimes you or your family may want to express a problem or a concern. If you do, please contact:

• Concerns or complaints for Medicaid should be referred to 1-800-421-2408
• Concerns or complaints concerning Baptist should be referred to 948-6262 or 974-6200 OR toll free 1-800-948-6262 (leave a message).

Pediatric Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Rights/Staff Responsibilities

I. In addition to the rights of adult patients, the needs of children/adolescents and they, with their parents/guardians, shall have the following rights: 

  1. Respect for:
      a. each child and adolescent as a unique individual.
      b. the care-taking role and individual response of the parent.

II. Provision for normal physical and physiological needs of a growing child to include: nutrition, rest, sleep, warmth, activity.

III. Consistent, supportive and nurturing care which:
     a. meets the emotional and psychosocial needs of the child.
     b. fosters open communication.
     c. encourages human relationships.

IV. Provision for self-esteem needs which will be met by attempts to give the child:
     a. the reassuring presence of a caring person, especially a parent.
     b. freedom to express feelings or fears with appropriate reactions.
     c. as much control as possible, over both self and situation.
     d. opportunities to work through experiences before and after they occur, verbally, in play or in other appropriate ways.
     e. recognition and reward for coping well during difficult situations.

V. Provision for varied and normal stimuli of life which contributes to cognitive, social, emotional and physical developmental needs.

VI. Information about what to expect prior to/during and following procedure/experience and support in coping with it.

VII. Participation of children/families in decisions affecting their own medical treatment.

VIII. Minimization of hospital stay duration by recognizing discharge planning needs.

Family Responsibility

Parents/family shall have the responsibility for:
     a. continuing their parenting role to the extent of their ability.
     b. being available to participate in decision-making and providing staff with knowledge of parents/family whereabouts.