Your Rights as a Patient
We at USMD believe that the protection and support of the basic human rights of freedom of expression, decision and action are important to the healing and well being of our patients. Therefore, we strive to treat patients with respect and with full recognition of human dignity. Decisions regarding health care treatment will not be based on race, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability or sources of payment. As a patient of USMD:
You have the right to a reasonable response to your request and need for treatment or service, within the hospital’s capacity, its stated mission, and applicable laws and regulations.
The right of the patient to considerate and respectful care:
- the care of the patient includes consideration of psychosocial, spiritual and cultural variables that influence the perceptions of illness
- the care of dying patient optimizes the comfort and dignity of the patient through:
- treating primary and secondary symptoms that respond to treatment as desired by the patient or surrogate decision maker;
- effectively managing pain; and
- acknowledging the psychosocial and spiritual concerns of the patient and the family regarding dying and the expression of grief by the patient and family;
The right of the patient, in collaboration with his or her physician, to make decisions involving his or her health care, to include the follow;
- the right of the patient to accept medical care or to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal; and
- the right of the patient to formulate advance directives and to appoint a surrogate to make health care decisions on his or her behalf to extent permitted by law. Advanced directives are written instructions recognized under state law related to the provision of health care when individuals are unable to communicate their wishes regarding medical treatment. The advance directive may be a written document authorizing an agent or surrogate to make decisions on the individuals behalf (a medical power of attorney for health care), a written or verbal statement (a living will), or some other form of instruction recognized under state law specifically addressing the provisions of health care;
- a hospital shall have in place a mechanism to ascertain the existence of, and, as appropriate, assist in the development of advance directives a the time of the patient’s admission;
- the provision of care shall not be conditioned on the existence of an advance directive; and
- an advance directive(s) shall be in the patient’s medical record and shall be reviewed periodically with the patient or surrogate decision maker if the patient has executed an advance directive;
The right of the patient to the information necessary to enable him or her to make treatment decisions that reflect his or her wishes; a policy on informed decisions making shall be adopted, implemented and enforced by the medical staff and governing body and shall be consistent with any legal requirements;
The right of patient to receive, at the time of admission, information about the hospital’s patient rights policy(ies) and the mechanism for the initiation, review, and when possible, resolution of patient complaints concerning the quality of care.
The right of the patient or the patient’s designated representative to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in the care of the patient. The hospital shall have a mechanism for the consideration of ethical issues arising in the care of the patients and to provide education to care givers and patients on ethical issues in health care:
The right of the patient to be informed of any human experimentation or other research of educational projects affecting his or her care or treatment;
The right of the patient, within the limits of law, to personal privacy and confidentiality of information;
The right of the patient or the patient’s legally designated representative access to the information contained in the patient’s medical record, within the limits of the law; and
The right of the patient’s guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person to exercise, to the extent permitted by law, the rights delineated on behalf of the patient if the patient:
- has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law;
- is found by his or her physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure;
- is unable to communicate his or her wishes regarding treatment; or
- is a minor.
The hospital bill of rights shall be prominently and conspicuously posted for display public area of the facility that is readily available to patients, residents, employee, and visitors.
The patient bill of rights shall address the rights of minors and provide that a minor is entitled to:
- appropriate treatment in the least restrictive setting available:
- not receive unnecessary or excessive medication;
- an individualized treatment plan and to participate in the development of the plan;
- a human treatment environment that provides reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy for personal needs;
- separation from adult patients; and
- regular communication between the minor patient and the patient’s family.
Prior to admission or acceptance for evaluation, a written copy of the patient’s bill of rights in the patient’s primary language, if possible, shall be given to each patient, and, as appropriate, to the patient’s parent, managing conservator, or guardian.
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
Your contribution to your health care is vital, and you can be involved in the health care process by fulfilling certain responsibilities. As a patient, it is your responsibility to:
Provide correct, complete information about your medical condition and any past or current medical treatment.
Follow the treatment plan recommended by your physician and other health care professionals. If you choose not to follow your treatment plan, you are responsible.
Discuss with your doctor and nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management relating to your illness, including:
- Options for pain relief.
- Potential limitations and side effects of treatment for pain.
- Any concerns you have about taking pain medicines. It is your responsibility to ask for pain relief when pain begins and to tell your doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved.
Be considerate of other patients and hospital employees.
Follow hospital rules regarding the conduct of patients.
See that payments of charges for your health care services are paid as promptly as possible. If a third party paying these charges, you can assist the payment process by providing complete and correct financial and insurance information.
Problem Resolution
Federal law gives every hospital patient the right to be informed of how to submit a complaint to the hospital relating to his/her care or relating to the belief that he/she is being discharged form the hospital prematurely. Each patient has the right to be informed of how the complaint will be considered including the response and resolution process developed by the hospital. The complaint resolution process is part of the hospital’s confidential Quality Improvement Program.
An issue can be addressed most promptly by speaking with your nurse or the administrator of the hospital. If you feel that your issue is not being resolved or being addressed by the hospital, you may also phone or write the Texas Department of Health, Health Facility Compliance Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 (1-888-973-0022) to ask questions or report a complaint.
You may also contact The Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1/800-994-6610 or email complaint@jcaho.org or you may contact the TMF Heath Quality Institute at 1-800-725-8315.