Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Your Rights as a Patient

• You, the patient, and/or a designated representative, have the right to be involved in all aspects of your care.
• You, the patient have the right to accept or refuse medical care or treatment to the extent of the law. You will be informed of medical consequences of such refusal. You are responsible for your actions should you refuse treatment or fail to follow you physician or surgery center’s instructions. You will be requested to sign a release of responsibility form.
• You have the right to change providers if another provider is available.
• You have the right to approve or refuse the release of your medical records to any individual outside the surgery center. The exceptions being in case of a transfer to another medical facility, required by law or third party payment contract (your insurance company).
• You have the right to be informed of any human experimentation or other research/education projects affecting your care or treatment. You have the right to refuse participation in such experimentation or research without compromising your care.
• You have the right to be fully informed before transfer to another facility or organization.
• The care rendered reflects consideration of you as an individual with personal values and a belief system. You are allowed to express your spiritual beliefs and cultural practices that do not harm others or interfere with your planned care/medical intervention.
• Your designated representative has the right to participation in the consideration of ethical issues that arise during your care.
• You will be treated with consideration, respect and full recognition of individuality, including privacy in treatment and care. The surgery center will keep records and all personal matters that relate to you confidential.
• You will be provided with complete information, to the extent of the physician’s knowledge, regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis as well as alternative treatments or procedures and the possible risk and side effects associated with the treatment or procedure. This information will be provided in a language or way you can understand.
• You and/or your designated representative will receive instructions for caring for yourself after discharge that will include:
  • Signs and symptoms that would alert you to a possible problem after discharge
  • Who to call if problems arise
  • What ordered prescriptions are for, how to take the medications and any precautions to take with those medications
• You or a designated representative will be fully informed of the services and provisions for after-hours and emergency care available to you after your discharge.
• You have the right to have your procedure scheduled accurately and time used efficiently.
• You have the right to information regarding fees, payment policies and may request an explanation for your bill regardless of the source of payment
• You have the right to have the ordered procedure performed and plan of care followed safely and accurately by qualified personnel.
• You have the right to inquire about the professional status of individuals providing your care.
• You have the right to know that your physician may or may not be an investor partner in the surgery center.
• You may have other rights under HIPAA privacy legislation.
• You have the right to have questions answered promptly by knowledgeable personnel.
• You have the right to know that your doctor may order a urine pregnancy test or diagnostic blood work.
• You will be treated by a concerned staff that will respond quickly to your reports of pain and whom are committed to providing effective pain management.
• You will receive the care needed to help you regain or maintain your maximum state of health in a safe environment.
• You have the right to know what facility rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.
• You have the right to present an Advance Directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. A copy of any Advanced Directives may be provided to the surgery center and physician. However, it is our policy for staff to perform all life-saving methods to a patient in an emergency situation.

Patient's Responsibilities

• You have the responsibility to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
• You have the responsibility to observe the rules and regulations of the center for your stay and treatment.
• If the instructions given by the surgery center staff are not followed, you may forfeit the right to receive care at the center and you will be responsible for your own outcomes.
• You are responsible for promptly fulfilling your financial obligation to the surgery center.
• You have the responsibility to be considerate of other patients, families and personnel by assisting in the control of noise, smoking and other distractions. You and your family are expected to respect the property of others.
• You are responsible for reporting to the staff whether or not you understand the planned course of your treatment and what is expected of you.
• You are responsible for notifying the center or your physician if you cannot keep your appointment.
• You and your family are responsible for providing the caregivers with accurate and complete information regarding present conditions, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, or any other pertinent medical history.
• You have the responsibility to work with your doctor and nurse to effectively manage your pain. This would include asking for pain medication when pain first begins, and to notify staff if your pain is not adequately managed.
• It is your responsibility to fully participate in decisions involving your care and to accept the consequences of these decisions.
• You are expected to follow up on your doctor’s instructions, take medications when prescribed, and ask questions concerning your health that you feel are necessary.
• You have the responsibility to be able to get home safely by having a responsible person to accompany you and to provide transportation that is appropriate.