NESS COUNTY HOSPITAL PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Rights

 

As a patient at the Ness County Hospital, you have a right to:

 

1. be informed at the time of receiving care or before cessation of care of your rights as a patient at Ness County Hospital. If in some instances the patient’s condition or age does not allow communication of the Patient Rights, these rights may be communicated to the patient’s representative. As soon as the patient can be informed of his/her rights, the hospital will provide that information to the patient.

2. respectful care given by competent personnel.

3. upon request, be given the name of your attending physician, the names of all other practitioners directly participating in your care and the names and functions of other health care persons having direct contact with you.

4. be informed of your health status, the information necessary to make treatment decisions reflecting your wishes, being involved in care planning and to request a change in your physician or transfer to another health facility due to religious or other reasons.

5. accept medical care, to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by state law and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing treatment.

6. formulate advance directives and appoint a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patient’s behalf to the extent permitted by law and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.

7. assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician or practitioner at the patient’s request and own expense.

8. hospital services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or source of payment.

9. (Or your legally designated representative) review the records pertaining to your medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by law.

10. examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill.

11. file a complaint. If you have a problem with your care, you may inform any staff member, address it on the Patient Satisfaction Survey given to you on admission or contact the Director of Nursing or the Hospital Administrator at 785-798-2291. We will try to resolve the problem immediately, if possible and notify you of the results. You may lodge a grievance with the State directly by calling 1-800-842-0078.

12. have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.

13. personal privacy.

14. receive care in a safe setting and to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

15. expect confidential treatment of all records pertaining to your care and may approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in cases such as suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by law.

16. be free from restraints, of any form, that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.

17. be free from seclusion imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.

18. associate and communicate privately with persons of your choice, and send and receive your personal mail unopened, unless contraindicated as documented in the medical record.

19. retain and use your personal clothing and possessions as space permits, unless to do so would infringe upon the right of other patients and unless medically contraindicated as documented in the medical record.

20. if married, and both are patients in the facility, be permitted to share a room, unless medically contraindicated as documented in the medical record.

21. meet with, and participate in the activities of social, religious and community groups at your discretion unless medically contraindicated as documented in the medical record.

22. be fully informed upon request, an accounting of financial arrangements, facility damage responsibilities, self-retained money arrangements, and guest meal service.

23. be fully informed of approval, maintenance, and upkeep of their personal electrical appliances brought into the facility.

24. have visitors that are not limited, restricted, or otherwise denied visitation based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or religion.

25. be informed of any specific alteration in visitation rights when specific clinical situations warrant.

26. consent to have visitors of their choice and the right to restrict or withdraw consent for an individual to visit.

 

Patient Responsibilities

With rights, there are also responsibilities. As a patient at the Ness County Hospital, you will be expected to:

 

1. be open and honest about everything that relates to your treatment here.

2. try to understand your health and ask your doctor or hospital staff members if you do not understand.

3. be cooperative with your doctor and others in your treatment.

4. follow hospital policies so that all patients and employees can be treated with respect.

5. provide the necessary information for insurance claims and work with the hospital to make payment arrangements.

6. be responsible for your own actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions.

7. respect property of other persons and of facility.

8. be responsible for personal behavior on control of noise, smoke, and visitors. (Smoking is NOT allowed in the hospital facility).

9. be aware that patient room doors must always provide access to and from room, therefore, locks, latches, bolts, chains, or any other type of retainer on doors are prohibited.

10. respect other patient’s rights to privacy by NOT repeating what you see or hear.

11. assure that financial obligations for health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

12. be aware that personal belongings may be laundered by patient’s family or person designated by the family unless specific arrangements are made.

13. be aware that personal hygiene supplies (toothpaste, comb, brush, etc.) may be provided by the family or purchased at the hospital.

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Rev. 10/01, 1/11, Nursing 021, 5/2021 Patient’s Rights