PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We want to encourage you, as the patient, to speak openly with your health care team, take part in your treatment choices, and promote your own safety by being well informed and involved in your care.  Because we want you to think of yourself as a partner in your care, we want you to know your rights as well as your responsibilities during your stay in our facilities.  We invite you and your family to join us as active members of your care team.

YOUR RIGHTS

CONSIDERATE AND RESPECTFUL CARE

• You have the right to be treated in a safe and secure setting, free from discrimination, abuse, or threat.

TEACHING FACILITY

• The training of residents, students, and other health care professionals are integral to our mission. Except in emergency situations, you have a right to request that residents and students not be involved in your care. It is not always possible to honor such requests, but we will try to do so to the extent that such restriction will not impact your treatment.

INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENT

• You have  the right to be informed by your doctor of your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and proposed procedures, including the risks involved, in terms that  you understand. You have the right to know the names and roles of persons treating you. You, or your authorized representative, have the right to obtain information from your record within a reasonable time frame, within the limits of the law.

PARTICIPATION

• You have the right to make informed decisions regarding your care, to be told of your health status and to be a part of care planning and treatment. You have the right to decide if family members will participate in your care. You have the right to refuse treatment and conditions of care, including withholding resuscitative measures, forgoing or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

TREATMENT

• You have the right to access care as long as that care is within the facility’s capacity, mission, and policies. When care can’t be provided, or the care is no longer the appropriate setting for you, the staff will fully inform you of other choices for care. If it is appropriate and medically advisable, you may transfer to another facility as long as the transfer is accepted by the receiving facility.

INFORMED CONSENT

• Except in emergency situations, you have the right to receive information from your doctor regarding the benefits, risks and alternatives of any procedure or treatment recommended by the doctor which requires consent. The patient has the right to refuse any recommended procedure or treatment and the risk associated with refusal will also be explained.

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

• You have the right to have an Advance Health Care Directive which allows you to specify your health care wishes. You also have the right to name a person who would make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so, to the extent permitted by law and facility policy.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

• You have the right to access protective services. Contact information for protective services agencies will be provided upon request.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

• You have the right to have appropriate assessment and management of pain when admitted to the facility and throughout your hospitalization.

ETHICAL ISSUES/END OF LIFE CARE

• You have the right to be involved in ethical questions that arise in the course of your care or any issues dealing with care at the end of life. Concerns for your comfort and dignity will guide all aspects of care with respect to your own personal values and beliefs. If you or your loved ones would like assistance from the Ethics Committee, please contact 932-3188.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

• Within the limits of the law, you have the right to privacy and confidentiality about your health care, whether as an inpatient or outpatient, and be provided a copy of the facility’s Notice of Privacy Practices. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment will be conducted to protect your privacy and confidentiality to the extent reasonably possible. If any form of communication needs to be withheld, including visitors, mail or telephone calls, you or your legal representative will be involved in the decision.

CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

• You have the right to make a complaint without fear of retribution. Reasonable attempts will be made to resolve the complaint to your satisfaction.  If a resolution cannot be met, the complaint will be handled as a grievance and you will receive a response in writing.  You can make complaints to any care provider, or by asking to speak to the unit manager or clinical coordinator.  For further questions, you may contact the patient advocate at 932-3639.

YOU MAN ALSO REPORT ISSUES TO:

• The Joint Commission, Office of Quality and Patient Safety, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, 1-800 994-6610 or Fax 630-792-5636.
• State Dept. of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance, 1250 Punchbowl St., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-586-4400.   <a href”=http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html”>http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html</a>
• Long-term Care, State Ombudsman Office, 250 S. King St. Fl. 4, Honolulu, HI 96813, 586-7268 or 586-0100.
• Privacy, Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 339, Honolulu, HI 96809-0339, 808-586-4994.

CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

• You have the right to express spiritual beliefs and cultural practices, as long as these do not harm others or interfere with treatment. Pastoral counseling will be provided upon request, when available.

COMMUNICATION SUPPORT

• You have the right to effective communication including the use of interpretive services at no cost to you.

RESTRAINTS

• You have the right to be free from chemical or physical restraints and seclusion except as authorized by a doctor in an emergency when it is necessary to protect the patient or others from injury. If restraints are indicated, the least restrictive method will be used in accordance with facility policy and you will be monitored.

BILLING EXPLANATION

• You have the right to a detailed billing explanation and to receive, examine and obtain an itemized bill, regardless of the source of payment. You may question charges associated with billing and will be advised of the availability of financial assistance, if appropriate.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

• We comply with applicable Federal, State and Local civil rights laws and rules and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status. For more information, please see our Non-Discrimination Statement on our website at www.hilomedicalcenter.org.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMUNICATION

• Provide complete and accurate information, including your full legal name, address, home telephone number, date of birth, social security number, insurance carrier and employer, when it is required.
• Provide a copy of your advance directive if you have one at every visit.
• Provide complete and accurate information about your health and medical history, including present condition, past illnesses, hospital stays, medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and any other matters         that pertain to your health, including perceived safety risks.

PARTICIPATION

• Ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you cannot         follow       through with your treatment plan, you are responsible for telling your doctor.  You are responsible for            outcomes if you do not follow the care, treatment, and service plan.
• Keep appointments, be on time, and call your health care provider if you cannot keep your appointments.

PRIVACY/PHOTOGRAPHY

• Refrain from capturing images, video, or other recorded images of staff, patients, or visitors.

RESPECT

• Treat staff, other patients and visitors with courtesy and respect; abide by all hospital rules and safety regulations; and be mindful of noise levels, privacy, and number of visitors.
• Refrain from verbal or physical abuse toward staff, patients or visitors. It is not permitted nor will it         be tolerated.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

• Please leave valuables at home and only bring necessary items for your stay.
• Send any unnecessary belongings home with family or a friend.
• You are responsible for all belongings you choose to keep with you, including (but not limited to) eye glasses, hearing aids, dentures, and assistive walking devices.

FINANCIAL

• Provide complete and accurate information about your health insurance coverage to pay your bills in a timely manner.
• Assure that your financial obligations for health care received are fulfilled as soon as possible.