Patient Rights and Responsibilities at LMC
Your Rights as a Patient
To be informed of your rights in advance of, or when discontinuing, the provision of care. You may appoint a representative to receive the information if you desire
To exercise these rights without regard to sex, cultural background, economic status, educational background, religious affiliation, or the source of payment for care
To receive respectful care, provided in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment and/or exploitation
To have access to protective and advocacy services or to have these services accessed on the your behalf
To receive the appropriate assessment and management of pain
To remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff
To know the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care, as well as the names and professional relationships of other physicians and healthcare providers who will see you
To receive information from your physician about your illness, course of treatment, outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), and your prospects for recovery in terms that you can understand
To receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure that you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse the course of treatment. Except in cases of emergency, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in the treatment, any alternate course of treatment or non-treatment, the risks involved in each, and the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment
To participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care and actively participate in decisions regarding your medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to request and/or refuse treatment
To formulate directives in advance regarding your healthcare, and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care within the hospital comply with these directives (to the extent provided by state laws and regulations)
To have a family member or representative of your choice notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
To have your personal physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
To have full consideration of privacy concerning your medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. You have the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual involved in your healthcare
To have confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to your care and your stay in the hospital. Your written permission will be obtained before your medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with your care
To receive information in a manner that you understand. Communications with you will be effective and provided in a manner that facilitates your full understanding. Written information provided will be appropriate to your age, level of understanding, and, as appropriate, your primary language. As appropriate, communications specific to vision, speech, hearing, cognitive and/or language impaired patients will be appropriate to the particular impairment
To access information contained in your medical records within a reasonable time frame (usually within 48 hours of request)
To receive reasonable responses to any reasonable request you may make for service
To leave the hospital even against the advice of your physician
To receive reasonable continuity of care
To be advised if the hospital/personal physician proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting your care or treatment. You have the right to refuse to participate in such research projects. Refusal to participate in or discontinuation of participation will not compromise your right to access care, treatment or services
To receive full support and respect of all patient rights if you choose to participate in research, investigations, and/or clinical trials. This includes your right to a fully informed consent process as it relates to the research, investigation and/or clinical trial. All information provided to you will be contained in your medical records or research file, along with all of the appropriate consent form(s)
To be informed by your physician or a delegate of your physician of the continuing healthcare requirements following your discharge from the hospital.
To examine and receive an explanation of your bill, regardless of source of payment
To know which hospital rules and policies apply to your conduct as a patient
To have all patient's rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
To provide accurate and complete information concerning your present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health
To report perceived risks in your care and unexpected changes in your condition to your responsible practitioner
To ask questions or to have someone ask questions on your behalf when you do not understand what you have been told about your care or what you are expected to do
To follow the treatment plan established by your physician, including the instructions of nurses and other health professionals as they carry out the physician's orders
To keep appointments and to notify the hospital or physician when you are unable to do so
To be responsible for your actions and the outcomes of those actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow your physician's orders
To assure that the financial obligations of your hospital care are fulfilled as promptly as possible
To follow hospital policies and procedures
To be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel
To be respectful of your personal property and that of other persons in the hospital