Patient Rights and Responsibilities
We need and expect you to be a responsible partner in your own healthcare. We ask that you make us aware of times when you want us to include family and/or significant others in discussions anddecisions about your care. We will keep you and those you choose well-informed so that you can participate in diagnostic and/or treatment decisions. We need and expect you to communicate continuously and openly with all the healthcare professionals working with you during all episodes of care so we can efficiently and effectively plan and deliver the best possible care and service. Ou goal is to meet and exceed your expectations as we work together toindividualize your care and optimize your outcomes.
When receiving care or service from Sarah Bush Lincoln (SBL), you have theright to...
- access care/service regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, national origin or payment resources with respect for your cultural/personal values, beliefs and preferences.
- receive reassurance, explanations, answers, actions, respect and courtesy in addition to excellent care and service.
- every consideration of privacy, dignity and to expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated with upmost confidentiality. This includes all photographic, film image, video, electronic or audio media that may be part of your care or created with your permission by virtue of agreeing to a test and/or procedure that captures/uses images and/or electronic data. Verbal, written and/or images as described will be given to other healthcare professionals for use in continuing your care and/or upon your request for yourself or others after informed consent and/or permission and with diligent care for the protection of your personal health information (PHI). You have every right to request cessation and/or to rescind permission/consent at any time and to be assured that anyone not already bound by the hospital's confidentiality agreement has signed one prior to involvement with you and your care/service.
- receive care and education for how to actively participate in assuring a safe environment that makes every effort to protect you from injury, harm and known complications for your condition, such as an infection.
- know the name, credentials and experience of individuals providing and directing your care and service.
- expect that family members or significant others of your choice be notified promptly of needs that arise and be kept well informed of your progress and status.
- receive and have understandable explanations of relevant, current information regarding your diagnoses, test results, treatment, prognosis and discharge plans.
- be informed of your rights and responsibilities in writing.
- unrestricted access to communication, visitors, mail and telephone calls unless clinically contraindicated and then with restrictions fully explained to you.
- consent to and participate in decision making involving your care and to refuse diagnostic and/or treatment options suggested - to the extent permitted by law without limiting other needed and available care.
- have us honor, respect and follow the directions you have outlined in an advance directive document (Living Will/Power of Attorney for Healthcare) and as related to end-of-life decisions to the extent permitted by law and the Health System's policy in response to current laws.
- reasonable access to your own medical records and protected health information including requests for amendments.
- complete explanations/information concerning the risks, benefits, consequences and alternatives to care at SBL as well as with planned/requested transfer to another facility.
- information about SBL's affiliations, business relationships, rules and regulations.
- consent to or refuse to participate in research or experimental treatment and to have your rights protected during research, investigations and/or clinical trials you may be asked to/agree to participate in.
- expect coordination/continuity of care and to be informed of realistic options and outcomes if/when care is no longer appropriate and/or no longer meets the criteria for your symptoms, diagnosis and/or benefit stipulations/requirements.
- appropriate assessment and management of any pain or discomfort associated with your diagnosis and treatment.
- access pastoral and/or spiritual support services that are available.
- be free from restraints or seclusion imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.
- know the immediate and long-term financial implications of your treatment choices, and in so far as they can be known, the charges and payment methods for those choices.
- access the complaint/grievance process related to any aspect of your care or service and to appeal to any applicable external agency regarding decisions related to the length of your stay or treatment protocol as well as the financial coverage related to your care.
- At SBL you can contact the Patient representative at 258/348-2491 or the House Supervisor via the main hospital number 258/348-2525. External agencies that you can contact are The Joint Commission at 1-800-994-6610 or the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-252-4343 (24 hour hotline).