Patient Rights & Responsibilties

Summary of Patient Rights

You have the right to:

1. A prompt, reasonable response to your requests and needs. Considerate, impartial and respectful care. This includes the right to emergency treatment of any condition which will deteriorate without immediate care.
2. Be involved in the decisions affecting your care.
3. Accept or refuse treatment. This includes the right to understand and authorize treatment through "informed consent. You also have the option of refusing treatment "against medical advice" (AMA).
4. Formulate "advance directives," making decisions about your care that will be enacted if you should become incapacitated. You may also appoint a surrogate decision maker.
5. Receive all information necessary to make treatment decisions, including an understanding of who is responsible for care, and the availability of patient support services. You have the right to request a reasonable estimate of charges in advance, and you are entitled to an understandable, itemized bill and an explanation of charges.
6. Be informed, at the time of admission, of your rights and responsibilities. This includes the hospital's rules of conduct and its grievance procedure.
7. Participate in the consideration of ethical issues involving your care.
8. Be informed of any experimental, research or educational projects affecting your care.
9. Personal privacy and confidentiality, including restricted access to your medical records, within legal limits.
10. Be represented by a guardian, next of kin or legally authorized responsible individual to ensure the protection of your rights if you should become unable to represent yourself.

Summary of Patient Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

1. Providing accurate information to those providing care. This includes information about your health status, unexpected changes and anticipated problems. You also are responsible for providing complete and accurate financial and insurance information.
2. Confirming that you understand the treatment plan. This includes providing "advance directives" and requesting additional information if necessary.
3. Following the agreed-upon treatment plan.
4. Keeping appointments or giving proper notification if an appointment will be missed.
5. The outcome of refusing treatment. This includes not following instructions.
6. Fulfilling financial obligations promptly.
7. Following the hospital's rules of conduct as outlined below.

Rules of Conduct

Items and activities that are not permitted include:

• Smoking (except in designated outdoor areas), drugs, and alcohol.
• Weapons, running, fighting and profanity.
• Sexual activity and inappropriate dress.
• Unauthorized use of medication.

Remember, if you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities, or the rules of conduct, please don't hesitate to ask. In addition to this summary, a copy of the full text of the law concerning your rights is available upon request.

If for any reason you wish to access the ethics committee, please call (863) 402-3266 or contact your caregiver or chaplain. We appreciate your cooperation and are happy to be able to serve you.

Our facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission. If you have any safety or quality concerns, we encourage you to contact the patient representative at (863) 402-3266. If your issues are not addressed, you may also contact The Joint Commission at http://www.jointcommission.org/.

If you have a complaint against our hospital or clinic, please contact:

Agency for Health Care Administration
Consumer Assistance Unit
2727 Mahan Drive, Building 1
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 888-491-3456
Web site: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/

If you have a complaint against a health care professional and want to receive a complaint form, please contact:

Agency for Health Care Administration
Consumer Services Unit
P.O. Box 14000
Tallahassee, FL 32317-4000
Phone: 888-419-3456
Web site: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/