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Patient Rights and Responsibilities The Regional Cancer Center is dedicated to providing its patients with high quality care, in an atmosphere of understanding and compassion. The patients who come to The Regional Cancer Center also have certain obligations - to themselves, other patients, employees and physicians. As a sign of the Center's commitment to care for each patient in as compassionate a way as possible, and as a request to patients to recognize their own responsibilities, The Regional Cancer Center has adopted this Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. 1. You have the right to be treated with consideration, dignity and respect. The Regional Cancer Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual preference, national origin, handicap or source of payment. 2. You have the right to know the name of your physician and the names and functions of other health care persons who have direct contact with you, and you have the right to know their qualifications with regard to you care. 3. You have the right to expect privacy concerning your medical care program. 4. You have the right to confidentiality of your records except as provided by law or third party arrangements. Your records will not be released to outsiders not involved in your case except upon written consent. 5. You have the right to receive information about your care, including the diagnosis and treatment options. 6. You have the right to participate in decisions regarding your treatment planning. 7. You have the right to have all your questions answered. 8. You have the right to a second opinion. 9. You have the right, as a competent adult, to accept or reject medical treatment from your health care provider. Should you refuse treatment, your physician should explain to you the consequences of your refusal. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions. If you decide to refuse treatment, you have the responsibility to sign a consent form stating your refusal. 10. You have the right to informed consent about your treatment. Before the start of any procedure, except in an emergency, your physician must obtain from you the necessary informed consent. If your physician feels it is not medically advisable to give this information to you he/she should give this information on your behalf to your relative or other appropriate person (s). 11. You have the right to consent to or refuse participation in medical research programs. You will be asked to sign a consent form before treatment begins. 12. You have the right to give advance instructions to others about your care and treatment. 13. You have the responsibility to provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your case. 14. You have the responsibility to report unexpected changes in your condition to your physician. 15. You have the responsibility for making it known whether or not you clearly understand a planned course of treatment and what is expected of you. 16. You have the responsibility to follow the treatment plan agreed upon by you and your physician responsible for your care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and other health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and enforce the physician orders. 17. You have the responsibility for keeping appointments and, when you are unable to do so for any reason, for notifying The Regional Cancer Center personnel as appropriate. 18. You have the right to the services of an interpreter if you do not speak English. 19. You have the right to see information contained in your medical record. However, we ask that you discuss this with your physician, because, in some instances, access may be limited for medical reasons. Access will be granted upon request and with concurrence of your physician, unless otherwise restricted by law. If you desire to receive a copy of your medical record once approval is received, you will be provided one and charged for the cost of the reproductions. 20. You have the right to request and examine a detailed explanation of your bill. In turn, you have the responsibility to provide The Regional Cancer Center with information necessary for insurance processing of your bill and to be prompt about asking questions you may have concerning your bill and assuring that financial obligations are satisfied. Please feel free to request full information on the availability of known financial resources for payment for services rendered. Patients will receive separate bills for services from the radiologists, pathologists, and other consulting physicians who may provide services at the request of you physician. The Regional Cancer Center is not involved in collection of these separate bills, and questions on such matters should be directed to the billing physician. 21. Upon completion of your treatment program, you will be given information regarding your continuing health care requirements as may be necessary as a result of your treatment program. You are responsible for your actions if you fail to follow these instructions. 22. You have the responsibility to be considerate of other patients, particularly with reference to noise, no-smoking rules, and respect of the property of The Regional Cancer Center and others. The Regional Cancer Center's rules in this regard are for the comfort of all patients and to facilitate the orderly and efficient operation of the Cancer Center. |
