Patient Bill of Rights

As a patient, you may expect:

• Effective pain management that will include information about pain, pain relief treatments and your involvement in the decisions for treatment.
• Impartial access to treatment and facilities without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin or source of payment.
• Reasonable privacy and to have a person of your own sex present during examination or treatment of certain parts of your body.
• Only discreet discussions or consults about your care and only in the presence of those involved with your care.
• Personal and informational privacy within the law. These rights will not be forfeited as a condition of treatment. 
• The right to have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician to be notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• The right to receive, review, and obtain an explanation of St. Francis Hospital, Inc. Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”).
• Freedom to wear religious or other symbols and personal clothing unless they interfere with your treatment.
• Freedom to request transfer to other facilities as long as the request complies with the Federal O.B.R.A. (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) requirements.
• The privilege of protective privacy if required for your personal safety.
• The right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• The right to 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 when providing acute medical, surgical care, or behavior management.
• To know the identity and professional status of those providing your care.
  Safe and appropriate care. At any time you feel there is a safety concern, you may report this issue to any staff member.
• Freedom to consult with a specialist at your own expense.
• Retain the right to dismiss your physician during your inpatient stay if you believe the services provided to you are unsatisfactory.
• Freedom to participate in decisions involving your care or the care of your child and being able to request or refuse treatment.
• To consult an interpreter if you do not speak the predominate language of this community.
• If hearing impaired, access to a telephone device for the deaf and reasonable accommodations.
• Complete and current information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from the physician providing or coordinating your care.