Patient and Family Rights and Responsibilities
At every St. Joseph’s/Candler facility, we believe that every patient and their family members have fundamental rights that should be recognized and respected throughout their healthcare journey. Understanding these rights and responsibilities is essential to fostering a collaborative environment where patients receive the highest standard of care while maintaining their dignity and autonomy.
Our Patient Rights: You or your designated decision maker have the right…
- To be treated with comfort, dignity and respect including the final stages of life;
- To health professionals’ appropriate assessment and management of the pain, pain information, prevention of pain and relief of pain upon a report of pain by the patient;
- To obtain information regarding the benefits, risks and alternative of any proposed treatment or procedures to the patient and to make an informed decision regarding care including participation in research studies;
- To be informed, and as appropriate their designee, about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes which differ significantly from the anticipated outcome;
- To refuse to participate in research studies, which will not compromise the patient’s right to care;
- To include or exclude any or all of their family members from participating in their care;
- To be involved in resolving dilemmas about their care by requesting the hospital to address any ethical issues in providing patient care through the Bio-ethics Committee;
- To initiate an advance directive;
- To refuse treatment including refusal of resuscitative services or protected health information;
- To privacy and security, the right to confidentiality of their protected health information;
- To bring to the attention of the appropriate hospital representative any concerns regarding their right to care and to have those complaints reviewed and, when possible, resolved;
- To be free from all forms of abuse, harassment and discrimination, the right to file a complaint with the State survey or certification agency if the patient has a concern about patient abuse, neglect or misappropriation of the patient’s property in the facility;
- To be free from discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression;
- To recognition of spiritual, cultural and social beliefs;
- To obtain appropriate protective service information;
- To have a family member or representative of the patient’s choice and physician(s) notified promptly of their admission to the hospital or discharge or transfer from the hospital;
- To have a family member, friend or other individual present with the patient for emotional support during the course of stay;
- To receive information orally or written contained in the patient’s clinical records;
- To be free from restraints and seclusion which are not medically necessary;
- To be informed of participation for the procuring and donation of organs and other tissues;
- To receive an explanation of charges;
- To the name of individuals providing care;
- To effective communication from the Health System, including appropriate accommodations for disabled patients, and the right to unrestricted access to communication with others outside the Health System, except in circumstances in which it is necessary to restrict access to visitors, mail, telephone calls or other forms of communication for reasons related to patient care, and any such restrictions will be fully explained to you and your family and will be determined with your participation.
Patient and Family Responsibilities
- Cooperate with the healthcare team in their treatment program;
- Inform the physician or healthcare provider of any pain and cooperate with the healthcare team to develop a plan for pain management;
- Follow the usually accepted rules of courtesy and etiquette so we can safely provide the best medical care;
- Be considerate of the rights and privacy of other patients;
- Make adequate financial arrangements for debts owed to this health system;
- Bring to the attention of the appropriate health system supervisor those occasions when in your opinion your rights are not being respected.
Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a patient and family member is crucial for ensuring a positive healthcare experience. We encourage open communication and collaboration between patients, families, and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of care received. If you have any questions about your rights or responsibilities, please don't hesitate to contact our staff for assistance.