Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Considerate and Respectful Care

We respect your right to:

• Expect quality treatment within the scope of our mission
• Be treated with dignity, regardless of your race, religion, beliefs, cultural values, sex, age or financial status
• Be treated in the least restrictive environment consistent with your condition
• Ask all personnel involved in your care to introduce themselves, state their role in your care and explain what they are doing for you
• Make care decisions, including managing pain effectively

Information About Treatment

Your healthcare team will describe your proposed treatment to you. If applicable, we will promptly notify your physician, family member or representative upon your admission.

You can expect us to explain:

• Your condition and proposed treatments, concisely
• Your role in your care and the knowledge and skills you need
• The alternatives of treatment
• The prognosis and problems related to recuperation
• The benefits and risks of each alternative

It is your right to be informed of any experimental, research, educational or training activities that may be involved in your treatment. You will be asked if you wish to participate in these activities, and you have the right to refuse to participate.

If limited English language skills or hearing problems inhibit your ability to communicate, help will be provided for you. If you need this service, please let someone on the staff know.

Participate in Decisions About Your Care

We respect your right to:

• Informed consent in partnership with your physician to agree to treatment based on a full explanation of your disease, the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment and the alternative treatments
• Refuse a diagnostic procedure or treatment
• Question who is involved with your care
• Be informed about the results of care, including unanticipated outcomes
• Have reports of pain accepted and acted on by healthcare professionals

It is your right to decide whether you wish to be treated and, if you do, by which method of treatment. If you elect to refuse treatment, you will be informed of the medical consequences of your decision.

If you are a minor, your family and/or legal guardian will be involved in all treatment planning decisions for you.

Pastoral Counseling

You have the right to request pastoral/spiritual counseling from a member of the clergy. HCA Virginia provides chaplaincy services.

Advance Care Planning and End of Life Decisions

You have the right to request information regarding advance care planning and end of life decisions and to formulate these advance directives.

These documents allow you to give directions about future medical care or to legally designate another person or persons to make medical decisions for you if you are temporarily or permanently incapable of doing so. You will have access to care whether or not you have an Advance Medical Directive.

You will be asked if you have an Advance Medical Directive when you are admitted to the hospital. If you have such a document, a copy will be placed in your medical record. You have the right to change, delete or add to your Advance Medical Directive at any time. If you do not have an Advance Medical Directive, we can help you make one.

You have the right as a patient, if you are in the terminal stages of life, to be treated in a manner commensurate with your or your surrogate's desires or wishes. This includes issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and participation in investigational or clinical trials (to the extent provided by the law).

Emphasis will be placed on effective pain management, psychological assessment of patient and family needs and spiritual support.

Ethical Decisions

We understand that you and your family may be faced with making difficult treatment choices while you are here. We respect your right to make an individual decision that is based on your personal beliefs and values as well as on the available medical information. You and your legally-designated representative have the right to be personally involved in the consideration of all ethical issues involving your care.

To assist you in the decision-making process, we suggest you consider the following questions:

• Do you have all the information you need to make a decision about your care?
• In case you are unable to speak for yourself, have you formulated an Advance Medical Directive (living will, Appointment of Agent to Make Healthcare Decisions)?

Various healthcare professionals, such as social workers, chaplains, nurses and physicians, are available to help you discuss any concerns you may have.

Privacy

The staff at HCA Virginia hospitals strives to respect the privacy of all patients. Case discussions, examinations and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly. In addition, you have the right to:

• Close the curtain around your bed or close your door any time you want privacy
• Request no visitors; this may include restriction of phone calls and mail, if so desired
• Request confidential status to protect your identity as a hospital patient
• Request a transfer to another room if you are unreasonably disturbed by another patient and/or visitor. Every effort will be made to accommodate you depending on whether another suitable room is available
• A safe and secure environment

Confidentiality

You have the right to expect that all of your medical records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law.

Reasonable Response to Requests and Needs

You have a right to considerate and respectful care within the scope of our mission.

Should you need a service not provided by HCA Virginia, you have the right to be assisted in transferring to another healthcare facility that can provide the needed service. The need to transfer you to another facility will be explained to you; you will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.

You have the right to examine your hospital bill and to have it explained to you.

You have a right to ask if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions and other healthcare providers or insurers.

You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

Protective Services

You have the right to access local or state protective services. Hospital staff can provide you with a list of these agencies.

Voice Complaints

You have the right to voice complaints regarding the quality of care and services you receive, and you are assured that the presentation of a complaint will in no way compromise your access to care. Whenever you are admitted to the hospital, you will be informed of your rights, including the right to state complaints. If you have a complaint or feel your rights are not being respected, please let the staff know. If you feel you are being asked to leave the hospital too soon or if you have a concern regarding quality of care, please let us know.

Provide Complete Medical Information

Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present health status and your complete medical history, including illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, Advance Medical Directives and other matters related to your health.

Ask for Clear Explanations

If the explanation of your diagnosis, treatment or your role in your case is not clear, ask questions until you understand.

Make Informed Decisions

Because you are responsible for the decisions you make about your care, we encourage you to gather as much information as you need to make your decisions. Once you and your physicians have decided on a plan for treatment, be sure to advise your physician if you feel you are unable to follow the plan. You may be asked to consent in writing to certain tests, procedures or operations. Ask as many questions as you must to fully understand each document you are asked to sign.

Understand

Understand your role in your case and the knowledge and skills you need. Know about your health problems. If there is anything you do not understand, ask any member of the healthcare team to explain it to you.

Report Changes

Tell your physician about any changes in your health.

Accept Financial Obligations

Ensure that your financial obligations are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Respect Others' Privacy

It is important to be considerate of other patients by observing their right to privacy, limiting your visits in a multi-bed room and maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Telephones, televisions, radios and lights should be used in a manner agreeable to others.

Follow Hospital Rules and Regulations

• Abide by hospital rules and regulations.
• Use of cell phones is restricted to designated areas within the hospital.
• Patients are responsible for reporting perceived risks in their care and unexpected changes in their condition to the responsible practitioner.
• Patients and families are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about the patient's care or what they are expected to do.

Your Role in the Prevention of Medical Errors

It is important that you know what treatment/medications are prescribed for you. Ask questions to ensure your safety.