STATEMENT OF PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSILITIES

In recognition of the responsibility of this facility in the rendering of patient care, these rights are affirmed in the policies and procedures of Starr County Memorial Hospital.

The patient has a right to:

Become informed of his/her rights as a patient in advance of, or when discontinuing, the provision care. The patient may appoint a representative to receive this information should he/she desire.

Receive services without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, cultural, economic, educational, or religious background or the source of payment care.

Considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment, free from all form of abuse or harassment.

Care that includes consideration of the psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural variables that influence perceptions of illness.

Participate in all ethical questions that arise in the course of his/her care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitate services, forgoing or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment.

Care that optimizes the comfort and dignity for a dying patient including, treatment as desired by the patient or surrogate decision maker, effectively managing pain, and acknowledging the psychosocial and spiritual concerns of the patient and family.

Appropriate assessment and management of pain.

Knowledge of the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating his/her care and the names and professional relationships of other physicians and healthcare provides who will see him/her.

Receive information from his/her physician about his/her illness, course of treatment, outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), and his/her prospects for recovery in terms that he/she can understand.

Receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse the course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in the treatment, alternate course of treatment or non-treatment and the risks involved in each and to know the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment.

Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are nor medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.

Have a family member or representative of his/her choice notified promptly of his/her hospital admission.

Together with their families, when appropriate, participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care and actively participate in decisions regarding his/her medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to request and/or refuse treatment.

Formulate advance directives regarding his/her healthcare, and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives to the extent permitted by law.

The provision of care that is not conditioned on the existence of an advanced directive.

Be advised of the hospital grievance process should he/she wish to communicate a concern regarding the quality care he/she receives.

Security, personal privacy and confidentiality of information, within the limits of the law.

Access to information contained in the patient's medical record, within the limits of the law.

Leave the hospital even against medical advice of his/her physician.

Examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of source of payment.

Be informed by his/her physician or a delegate of his/her physician of the continuing healthcare requirements following his/her discharge from the hospital.

Know which hospital rules apply to his/her conduct while a patient.

Delineate these rights, to the extent of the law, to the patient's guardian, next to kin, or legally authorized responsible person if the patient:

Has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with la law;

Is found by his/her physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure;

Is unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment; or
Is a minor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

All patients have the following responsibilities with regard to their care at this facility:

To provide the facility, to the best of their knowledge, with an accurate and complete medical history about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, existence of advance directives, medications and other pertinent data.

To report perceived risks in their care and unexpected changes in their condition to the practitioner.

To follow the plan of treatment recommended by the doctor primarily responsible for the patient's care and/or other personnel authorized by the Facility to instruct patients.

To accept consequences of their actions if they do not follow the care, service, or treatment plan.

To ask questions if they do not understand the information or instructions given them by the doctor.

To keep appointments and for notifying the hospital or physician when he/she is unable to do so.

To demonstrate behavior that shows respect and consideration for other patients, family, visitors, and personnel of the Facility.

For assuring that the financial obligations for healthcare rendered are paid in a timely manner.

For the disposition of their valuables as the Facility does not assume this responsibility.