I.  Patient Rights

       A. The patient has the right to considerate, dignified and respectful care.

       B. The patient has the right to Interpretation services if necessary.

       C. The patient has the right to appropriate privacy in all areas of the facility, including registration, evaluation, and treatment areas.  

       D. The patient has the right to and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning                                       diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

       E. The patient has the right to make decisions about the plan of care prior to and during the course of treatment and to refuse a recommended treatment or plan of care to the                    extent permitted by law and Center policy and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action. In case of such refusal, the patient is entitled to other appropriate                    care and services that the Center provides or transfer to another facility. The Center should notify patients of any policy that might affect patient choice within the institutions.

       F.  The patient has the right to be informed of the credentials of all healthcare professionals.

       G. The patient has the right to privacy. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment should be conducted so as to protect each patient’s privacy.

       H. The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his/her care will be treated confidentially by the Center, except in cases (such as                                 suspected abuse and public health hazards) when reporting is permitted or required by law.

       I.  The patient has the right to approve or refuse the release of records and protected health information except when required by law, to coordinate care and/or when                                      required to obtain reimbursement from the patient’s insurance carrier.  

       J.  The patient has the right to expect that the Center will emphasize the confidentiality of this information when it releases it to any other parties entitled to review                                           information in these records.

       K.  The patient has the right to review the records pertaining to his/her medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when                                          restricted by law.

       L.  The patient has the right to expect that, within its capacity and policies, the Center will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for appropriate and medically                      indicated care and services. The Center must provide evaluation, service and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. When medically appropriate and legally                            permissible, or when a patient has so requested, a patient may be transferred to another facility. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have                              accepted the patient for transfer. The patient must also have the benefit of complete information and explanation concerning the need for risks, benefits, and alternatives to                  such a transfer.

       M. The patient has the right to ask and be informed of physician ownership the existence of business relationships among the Center, educational institutions, other                                          healthcare providers, or payers that may influence the patient’s treatment and care.

       N. The patient has the right to consent to or decline to participate in proposed research studies or human experimentation affecting care and treatment or requiring direct                              patient involvement, and to have those studies fully explained prior to consent. A patient who declines to participate in research or experimentation is entitled to the most                      effective care that the Center can otherwise provide.

       O.  The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed by physicians and other caregivers of available and realistic patient                        care options when Center care is no longer appropriate.

       P.  The patient has the right to be informed of Center policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, and responsibilities. The patient has the right to be informed of                 available resources for resolving disputes, grievances, and conflicts, such as ethics committees, patient representatives, or other mechanisms available in the institution.

       Q.  The patient has the right to be informed of the Center’s charge for services and available payment methods.

       R.  The patient has the right to choose and appoint a surrogate to exercise the rights listed within this document.

       S.  The patient has the right to be free from any act of discrimination or reprisal while acting on the rights listed within this document.

       T.  The patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting.

       U.  The patient has the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

       
       II.  Patient Responsibilities

        A.  The patient has the responsibility to provide complete and accurate medical information including known health problems, prior surgery, medications, OTC                                                    medications and herbal or dietary supplements in advance of surgery.

        B.  The patient has the responsibility to provide complete and accurate information concerning insurance coverage and eligibility and accept financial responsibility for                                    any charges not covered by insurance.

        C.  The patient has the responsibility to be respectful of healthcare providers, center personnel, other patients and visitors, and of the property of others.

        D.  The patient has the responsibility to inform providers of advance directives, living wills, and durable powers of attorney and/or other documents that could affect                                         his/her care.

        E.  The patient has the responsibility to provide a competent and responsible adult to transport him/her from the Center and stay with him/her as instructed by the                                             provider.

        F.  The patient has the responsibility to follow the agreed -upon treatment plan prescribed by their provider and participate in their care.

   

 

FOR MEDICARE ASSISTANCE GO TO: WWW.CMS.HHS.GOV/CENTER/OMBUDSMAN.ASP

 

The Center provides for and welcomes the expression of grievances, complaints and suggestions by the patient and patient’s family at all times without reprisal. Every patient has the right to file a grievance with any staff member, the Nurse Manager or the Administrator. If the patient is not satisfied, the complaint is taken to the Medical Director.

If at any time during your visit at the Center, you feel your rights have not been protected, please use the following information to report a complaint:

 

Maryland Department of Health 

Office of HealthCare Quality 

7120 Samuel Morse Drive Second Floor 

Columbia, MD 21046-3422 

1-410-402-8015/1-800-492-6005