The patient's rights and responsibilities will be respected and implemented in his/her care at Deaconess Hospital.The hospital will assist the patient in exercising his/her rights by informing the patient of those rights, in a manner which is understandable to the patient, at the time of admission. Deaconess Hospital recognizes the right of the patient's guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person to exercise, to the extent permitted by law, rights on behalf of the patient if the patient has been judged incompetent in accordance with the law, is found by his/her physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure, is unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment, or is a minor.

• A patient has the right to impartial access to available treatments and accommodations within the hospital's capacity, its stated mission, and applicable law and regulation, regardless of age, race, creed, gender, national origin, disability or sources of payment for care in concert with the hospital's policy on One Level of Care (HP 1.01.05). This right is not limited by financial incentives or other non-clinical considerations. You may arrange to review our policies that address these issues by contacting the Patient Financial Services Office at (513) 559-2130.
• A patient will be treated with respect and consideration at all times.
• A patient can expect privacy and confidentiality. This includes privacy surrounding examinations, case discussions, access to medical record and source of payment information, and freedom from unwanted visitors not involved in the patient's care.
• A patient who is dying has the right to receive care which promotes comfort, dignity and individuality.
• A patient has the right to report his / her pain and to receive responsive pain management in a timely manner.
• A patient has the right to wear personal clothing or religious/symbolic items which do not interfere with diagnostic procedures and treatments.
• A patient has the right to reasonable personal safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned.
• A patient has the right to know the identity of those caring for him/her, and the manner in which the physician supervising his or her care can be contacted.
• A patient can expect from his/her primary care provider current information concerning his/her diagnosis and in a manner reasonably understandable by the patient. In the case of a child or adolescent patient, the parent or guardian can expect to be included in the decision making process regarding the course of treatment. When not medically advisable to give such information, the information can be made available to a legally authorized individual.
• The patient has a right to have his or her family members and physicians notified promptly of his admission.
• A patient has the right of access to people outside the hospital by written or verbal means. Interpreters/communication mechanisms will be provided if a language barrier exists.
• A patient has the right to reasonable information and participation in consenting for his/her care.
• A patient can expect to be informed of any experimentation, research, or educational activities affecting his/her care and has the right to refusal of such.
• A patient has the right to request a consultation at his/her own expense.
• A patient or his/her legally authorized representative has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal. If this refusal prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.
• A patient has the right to receive the care requested and needed within the organization's capacity, mission and philosophy and according to applicable laws and regulations.
• A patient may not expect to be transferred to another facility unless he/she has received a complete explanation of the need for the transfer and any available alternatives. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer.
• A patient has the right to access guardianship or advocacy services, and child or adult protective services information.
• A patient has the right to be informed by the practitioner responsible for his/her care of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital with reasonable planning implemented to meet these needs.
• A patient has the right to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of his/her total bill regardless of the payment source.
• A patient has the right, without recrimination, to voice complaints regarding the care received and to have those complaints reviewed and, when possible, resolved. Please feel free to bring issues to the attention of the Department Manager, or Director of QRM by calling the operator.
• A patient has the right to formulate advance directives and appoint a surrogate to make healthcare decisions on his/her behalf to the extent permitted by law. Your right to medical care is not changed by the presence of absence of an Advance Directive.
• A patient has the right to the information necessary to enable him/her to make treatment decisions that reflect his/her wishes. Information should include, but not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure and/or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when the patient requires information covering medical alternatives, the patient also has the right to know about the alternatives and the individuals capable of performing them.
• A patient can expect to be informed at the time of admission of his/her rights and responsibilities as a patient and of hospital rules and regulations applicable to his/her conduct as a patient.
• A patient has the right to participate in the consideration of ethical or care issues.
• A patient has the right to request a transfer to a different room if another patient or a visitor in the room is unreasonably disturbing him/her and if another room equally suitable for his/her care needs is available.
• A patient and/or the patient's legally designated representative has the right to access information contained in the patient's medical record, within the limits of the law.
• The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of Deaconess Hospital to other healthcare and education institutions insofar as his/her care is concerned. The patient also has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals who are treating them.
• The patient has the right to be free from any physical restraints or psychoactive drugs administered for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat medical symptoms or to ensure the patient's safety.

• A patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, and other matters relating to his/her health. A patient has the responsibility to report to his/her practitioner any unexpected changes in his condition.
• A patient is responsible for reporting whether he/she clearly comprehends information given him/her and what is expected of him/her.
• A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his/her care and as implemented by other health professionals.
• A patient has the responsibility to keep appointments and to notify those who need to know if unable to do so.
• A patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner's instructions.
• A patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• A patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
• A patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and adherence to the visitation guidelines.
• A patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other patients and of the hospital.
• In the case that the patient has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law, or is found by his/her physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure, or is unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment, or is a minor, the adherence to these responsibilities falls to the patient's guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person.

You may get your own copy of this document at the registration desk.