Beverly Hospital: Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

PATIENT & VISITOR'S GUIDE

Patient's Rights and Responsibilities

The rights and responsibilities of patients who are unable to make decisions because of physical or mental limitations or because they are minors are protected by the patient's guardian, health care agent or legal representative.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT REGARDING . . .

COMMUNICATION AND DECISION-MAKING

To know the name and role (M.D., R.N., L.P.N., etc.) of your doctor and other caregivers
To receive information about your medical problem and treatment in language you can understand
To communicate with your caregivers and receive assistance with any special needs you may have
To read your medical record
To have confidentiality regarding your medical information
To participate in decisions involving your care, including the right to refuse care to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action
To have a consultation with a specialist, at your expense
To be informed about the outcomes of care, including unexpected outcomes
To request a transfer to another room
To voice complaints about your care and have those complaints reviewed and, when possible, have those complaints resolved

Your concerns are important to us. If you have comments about your care, patient rights and/or would like to share a compliment, please contact the Patient Advocate at the CARE Hotline 978 922-3000, ext. 2273 (CARE).

When you have concerns regarding patient care or safety that have not been resolved by the hospital, you may contact the Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality at 800 462-5540 and/or the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring at 800 994-6610 or email complaint@jointcommission.org

To receive a prompt response to any concerns or complaints you express
To have an advance directive (either a Health Care Proxy or a Durable Power of Attorney for health care) and expect the hospital to honor the intent of that directive to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy.

TREATMENT PLANNING AND CARE

To have privacy and respectful care
To have a person of your own sex present during personal care
To have your pain or discomfort relieved as much as possible
To refuse to be cared for by students or any other staff without affecting your access to care
To refuse to participate in research
To have the protection and environment needed for personal safety
To help with planning your after-hospital medical care.

FAMILY, FRIENDS, SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, PERSONAL MATTERS

To define the level of involvement of your family members in your health care decisions
To have visitors and to communicate with people outside of the hospital, or to refuse to see visitors
To practice spiritual and cultural preferences that do not harm others or interfere with your care
To wear personal clothing and religious or symbolic items that do not interfere with your care

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

To receive prompt lifesaving treatment in an emergency regardless of your ability to pay
To be informed of the hospital's charges for treatment, to learn about available payment methods including financial assistance and/or free care; to receive a copy of all charges submitted to insurance companies

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PATIENT

To follow the rules or regulations of the hospital which may apply to your conduct and safety as a patient
To provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your symptoms, past illnesses, allergies, hospitalizations, medications, pain severity, and other matters relating to your health
To report unexpected changes in your condition to your doctor or nurse
To report whether you clearly understand the medical plan for you and understand what part you play in it
To follow the treatment plan recommended by the doctor responsible for your care by following the instructions of nurses and other health professionals as they carry out the plan of care, implement the responsible doctor's orders, and enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations
To be responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the doctor's instructions
To assure that the financial obligations for your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible
To be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel by assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors
To be respectful of the property of other persons in the hospital

OPTIONS IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CARE

Patient Advocate CARE Hotline

978 922-3000, ext. 2273 (CARE)

Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality

800 462-5540

Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring

800 994-6610

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85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA 01915
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978.922.3000
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