Patient's Rights & Responsibilities

Did you know that as a patient you have rights and responsibilities too? At Jewish Hospital, we recognize that a respectful relationship between the health care provider and the patient is the foundation of proper medical care.

Bill of Rights for All Patients

1. Jewish Hospital does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, or ability to pay.
2. Patients have the right to consideration and respect at all times.
3. Patients have the right to refuse to see or talk to anyone not connected with Jewish Hospital. This includes visitors. Patients also have the right to refuse to see staff who are not directly involved in their care.
4. Patients have the right to wear their own clothing and religious items as long as they do not interfere with treatment.
5. Patients have the right to be interviewed in an area that assures privacy. Patients also have the right to have a member of the same sex present during the physical exam.
6. Patients have the right to request a transfer to another room if the action of another patient or visitor is disturbing.
7. Patients have the right to expect safety in the hospital environment and in the procedures performed at the hospital.
8. Patients have the right to have visitors, as well as written or verbal communication with people outside of Jewish Hospital. An interpreter will be provided for patients who are hearing impaired or non- English speaking.
9. Patients have the right to be placed in protective privacy when their physician considers protective privacy necessary for the patients’ safety.
10. Patients have the right to information regarding the hospital’s mechanism for initiation, review, and when possible the resolution of patients’ complaints concerning the quality of care. This established process is as follows:
    1. Complaints regarding the quality of care should be first addressed to the charge nurse of that unit. If the complaint is not able to be resolved at the bedside, the patient should ask to speak to the nurse manager for the unit or the patient may contact Guest Relations at extension 4797.
    2. If the patient believes that the complaint has still not been resolved at the bedside, the patient may submit a formal complaint in writing to the nurse manager of the unit, the Guest Relations representative, or with the State Licensing Agency (1-502-595-4079). All formal complaints will be responded to, in writing, within ten business days. Note: A patient may file a complaint with the State Licensing Agency at any time and bypass the hospital’s complaint process.
11. Patients have the right to be included in discussions of ethical issues regarding their care. Patients have the right to information regarding the hospital’s mechanism for resolving conflicts in decision making.
12. If it is necessary for the patient to be transferred to another facility for health care services, the patient has the right to receive a complete explanation of the reason(s) for the transfer and alternatives to such a transfer.
13. Patients have the right to know the identity and professional status of people providing their care and to know the doctor responsible for their treatment.
14. Patients have the right to obtain information about their diagnosis and treatment. This information must be explained in terms that patients can understand. Patients are entitled to one copy of their medical record upon request. Once the request is received, the hospital will mail the completed medical record as soon after discharge as possible.
15. Patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of their pain with consideration to personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs. Patients and families have a right to education regarding the management of their pain and that this is an important part of their care.
16. Patients can expect that any discussion of their illness will be discreet. Anyone not involved with the patient’s care must have the patient’s written permission to review the medical record.
17. All communications and records about a patient’s care, including the source of payment, are confidential.
18. Patients have the right to receive information from their doctor to enable them to give informed consent to a procedure or treatment. This includes a clear and concise explanation of the procedure and/or treatment to be performed, the possible risks and side effects, and alternatives.
19. Patients have the right to, at their own request, consult a specialist.
20. Patients have the right to refuse treatment unless otherwise prohibited by law. Patients have the right to receive examples of situations in which, under current law, treatment is required to be given despite the patient’s refusal. When treatment is refused and appropriate care cannot be provided according to professional standards, Jewish Hospital may end the relationship with the patient after giving reasonable notice.
21. Patients have the right, upon discharge, to be informed by the physician and other staff members of the need for continuing care.
22. Patients have the right to assistance in completing and processing insurance forms relating to hospital services.
23. Patients have the right to leave against medical advice, but must be made aware that leaving against medical advice may result in the denial of reimbursement by third party payers, making the patient responsible for the entire hospital bill. Patients leaving against medical advice will be given a release to sign which states that the patient’s physicians, Jewish Hospital, its agents and employees are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the patient’s decision to leave.
24. Patients have the right to request and to receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total hospital bill, regardless of the source of payment.
25. Patients, and when appropriate, their families are to be informed about the outcomes of care including unanticipated outcomes.
26. Patients have the right to request and receive a copy and explanation of the Jewish Hospital Notice of Privacy Practices and compliance to requests as stated in the Privacy Practice Guidelines as well as other rights as discussed in the notice (effective April 14, 2003).

Additional Rights of Patients in Special Circumstances

27. Patients who are candidates for participation in research or educational activities have the right to be advised if the hospital intends to engage in or perform research or educational activities affecting their care or treatment. Patients have the right to refuse to participate in such activities without compromising their care or affecting benefits to which they are otherwise entitled.
28. Patients have the right to information regarding the hospital’s policy on the forgoing of life support by withholding resuscitative services from patients.
29. Patients who are dying have the right to receive care that will provide them with comfort and dignity. The dying patient has the right to receive such care, which shall include:
    1. Treatment of primary and secondary symptoms responsive to treatment, as desired by the patient or surrogate decision maker,
    2. Effective management of pain,
    3. Acknowledgement of the psychosocial and spiritual concerns of the dying patient and his/her family, and
    4. Acknowledgement of the expression of grief by the dying patient and his/her family.

Patient Responsibilities

1. Patients must observe all hospital rules and regulations.
2. Patients must take into account the rights of other patients and staff members concerning matters such as the hospital’s non-smoking policy, limitations on the number of visitors, and noise control.
3. Patients and their families are responsible for respecting the hospital’s property and the property of other patients.
4. Patients are responsible for providing complete information to their doctor and to the hospital staff about their health problems, illnesses, changes in their condition, medications, and other data relating to their health.
5. Patients are responsible for providing complete information and documentation relating to the existence or non-existence of an Advance Directive.
6. Patients are responsible for keeping appointments, and if unable to do so, must notify the physician or person with whom the patient has the appointment.
7. Patients are responsible for paying bills relating to the hospital’s charges, and for making such payments by the date indicated on the invoice.
8. Patients are responsible for providing written information to the hospital and their physician that an advance directive has been made. If the patient is physically incapable, any other person may notify the attending physician of the existence of any advance directive.