Statement of Patient Rights
As a healthcare facility, we are committed to delivering quality medical care to you, our patient, and to making your stay as pleasant as possible. The following "Statement of Patient Rights," endorsed by the administration and staff of this hospital, applies to all patients. In the event that you are unable to exercise these rights on your own behalf, these rights are applicable to your designated/legal representative. As it is our goal to provide medical care that is effective and considerate within our capacity, mission, and philosophy, applicable law and regulation, we submit this to you as a statement of our policy.
- You have the right to respectful care given by competent personnel, which reflects consideration of your personal value and belief systems and which optimizes your comfort and dignity.
- You have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.
- You have the right to expect emergency procedures to be implemented without unnecessary delay.
- You have the right to good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.
- You have the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented within the hospital, the avoidance of unnecessary delays, and when possible, the avoidance of personal discomfort through effective pain management.
- You have the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, handicap, national origin, or source of payment.
- You have the right to make decisions involving your healthcare. Those rights apply to the family and/or guardian of newborns, children, and adolescents.
While the hospital recognizes your right to participate in your care and treatment to the fullest extent possible, there are circumstances under which you may be unable to do so. In these situations (e.g., if you have been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with law, or found by your physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure, are unable to communicate your wishes regarding treatment, or are an unemancipated minor) your rights are to be exercised, to the extent permitted by law, by your designated representative or other legally designated person.
- You have the right to make decisions regarding the withholding of resuscitative services or the forgoing of or the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment within the limits of the law and the policies of this institution.
- You have the right, upon request, to be given the name of your attending physician, the names of all other physicians or practitioners directly participating in your care, and the names and professional status of other healthcare personnel, including medical students, residents or other trainees, having direct contact with you.
- You have the right to every consideration of privacy concerning your medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are considered confidential and should be conducted discreetly giving reasonable visual and auditory privacy when possible, to have someone present while physical examination, treatment, or procedure is being performed, as long as they do not interfere with diagnostic procedures or treatment, and to request a room transfer if another patient or a visitor in the room is unreasonably disturbing you and another room equally suitable for your care need is available.
- You have the right to have all information, including records, pertaining to your medical care treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third-party contractual arrangement.
- You have the right to have your medical records read only by individuals directly involved in your care, by individuals monitoring the quality of your care, or by individuals authorized by law or regulation. The hospital shall provide you, or your designated/legal representative, upon request, access to all information contained in your medical records, unless access is specifically restricted by the attending physician for medical reason.
- You have the right to be communicated with in a manner that is clear, concise and understandable. If you do not speak English or are hearing impaired, you may request an interpreter or any auxiliary aid.
- You have the right to full information in layman's terms, concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications. When it is not medically advisable that such information be given to you, the information shall be given on your behalf to your designated/legal representative.
- You have the right not to be involved in any experimental, research, donor program, or educational activities unless you have, or your designated/legal representative has, given informed consent prior to the actual participation in such a program. You or your designated/legal representative may, at any time, refuse to continue in any such program to which informed consent has previously been given.
- You have the right to accept medical care or to refuse any drugs, treatment, or procedure offered by the hospital, to the extent permitted by law, and a physician shall inform you of the medical consequences of such refusal.
- You have the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues surrounding your care, within the framework established by this organization to consider such issues. If you are concerned about any ethical issues related to your care, an Ethics Consultation service is available. To access this service, request it through your doctor or nurse.
- You have the right to formulate an "advance directive" or to appoint a surrogate to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. These decisions will be honored by this hospital and its healthcare professionals within the limits of the law and this organization's mission values and philosophy.
You are not required to have or complete an "advance directive" in order to receive care and treatment in this facility.
- You have the right to assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician at your request and expense.
When this hospital cannot meet the request or need for care because of a conflict with our mission or philosophy or incapacity to meet your needs or requests, you may be transferred to another facility when medically permissible. Such a transfer should be made only after you or your designated/legal representative has received complete information and explanation concerning the needs for, and alternatives to, such a transfer. The transfer must be acceptable to the other institution.
- You have the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill.
- You have the right to full information and counseling on the availability of known financial resources for your healthcare.
- You have the right to expect that the healthcare facility will provide a mechanism whereby you are informed upon discharge of continuing healthcare requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.
You cannot be denied the right of access to an individual or agency that is authorized to act on your behalf to assert or protect the rights set out in this section. If disabled, you have the right to expect reasonable and equal access to the facilities, services and programs of this hospital.
Information regarding your rights as a patient should be provided to you during the admissions process or at the earliest possible appropriate moment during the course of your hospitalization.
- You have the right, without recrimination, to voice complaints regarding your care, to have those complaints reviewed and, when possible, resolved.
As a patient, you should assume responsibility for the following:
The hospital expects that you or your designated/legal representative will provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, "advance directives," and other matters relating to your health history or care in order for you to receive effective medical treatment.
In addition, you are responsible for reporting whether you clearly comprehend a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.
The hospital expects that you will cooperate with all hospital personnel and ask questions if directions and/or procedures are not clearly understood.
You are expected to be considerate of other patients and hospital personnel, to assist in the control of noise and visitors in your room, and to observe the smoking policy of this institution. You are also expected to be respectful of the property of other persons and the property of the health center.
In order to facilitate your care and efforts of the hospital personnel, you are expected to help the physicians, nurses, and allied medical personnel in their efforts to care for you by following their instructions and medical orders.
Duly authorized members of your family or designed/legal representative are expected to be available to hospital personnel for review of your treatment in the event you are unable to properly communicate with our healthcare givers.
It is understood that you assume the financial responsibility of paying for all services rendered, whether through third-party payers (your insurance company) or being personally responsible for payment for any services that are not covered by your insurance policies.
It is expected that you will not take drugs that have not been prescribed by your attending physician and administered by hospital staff and that you will not complicate or endanger the healing process by consuming alcoholic beverages or toxic substances during your hospital stay.
Being a good patient does not mean being a silent one. If you have questions, problems, or unmet needs ... please let us know. If you would like further clarification of the "Rights and Responsibilities" as they pertain to you, please contact the Director of Patient Care Services on your unit.
This Statement of Patient Rights was developed in collaboration with the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Society of Patient Representation and Consumer Affairs, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
Patient Privacy and ConfidentialityThe Uniontown Hospital staff respects your privacy concerns. We hope to enhance the quality of your visit by honoring the privacy of information choices that you've selected. The following information will explain what you can expect with each of your options. We will do our best to protect your privacy, but we ask for your understanding and cooperation.
Uniontown Hospital maintains the strictest confidentiality in providing your care. Consultations, examinations and discussions about your treatment are held in strict privacy by our staff. All records pertaining to your care are considered to be confidential, unless you instruct us otherwise.
Controlling the Release of Information is a very important practice. Admitting staff will ask if you want your name, location and condition released to the general public. If you agree to this, anyone asking for you by your full name will be given your location/room number and may also be given your condition in general terms. Release of Information also means that you will receive phone calls and visitors (unless specific arrangements are otherwise made with your nurses station). Members of the clergy will also be able to access your religious affiliation under this option.
If you choose No Release of Information, Uniontown Hospital will not release your name, location/room number or condition to anyone. Inquires about you will be answered, "I'm sorry, but I have no information on that person." No Release of Information also means that you will not receive any phone calls or visitors. In addition, No Release of Information means that members of the clergy will not be given your name. Patients choosing not to release information must provide the Admissions Office with written authorization for denial to release information. We ask for your understanding and cooperation as we make every effort to protect your privacy.
Any concerns about your privacy options can be discussed with your nurse or the Director of Patient Care Services on your unit.
