“I really enjoy the positive attitudes I see at MHP and the great team work from my coworkers.”
Kerri Boender, RN, Cardio/Pulmonary Rehab
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Bill of Rights
1. Patients have the right to appropriate, considerate and respectful care, regardless of the source of payment, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age.
2. Patients have the right to obtain current information from their physician regarding their diagnosis, treatments and prognosis. This information should be given in terms easily understood by patients. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to patients, the information should be made available to a legally authorized individual.
3. Patients have the right to participate in decisions involving their healthcare. Except in emergencies, this should be based on a clear explanation of their condition and of all proposed technical procedures. It should include the possibility of any risk of death or serious side effects, as well as problems related to recuperations and probability of success. Patients should not be subject to any procedure without their voluntary, competent and understanding consent or that of their legally authorized representative. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, patients shall be so informed. Patients have the right to know who is responsible for authorizing and performing the procedures or treatments.
4. Patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of their comfort including level of pain. They have the right to determine their own acceptable comfort level and can expect that their decisions will be respected.
5. Patients have the right to refuse treatment, to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the possible medical consequences of their action.
6. Patients have the right to every consideration of their privacy concerning their own medical care program, including the right to exclude those not directly involved in their care.
7. Patients have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to their care should be available only to those directly concerned with such care, except as required by law or by the instructions of the patient.
8. Patients have the right to expect that, within its capacity, a hospital must make a reasonable response to their request for services in an emergency. The hospital must provide evaluation, service, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. When medically permissible, patients may be transferred to another facility only after they have received complete information and explanation concerning the need for alternatives to such transfer. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred and the physician to be responsible for the case must first have accepted the patient for transfer.
9. Patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of their hospital bill.
10. Patients have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to their conduct as patients.
11. Patients have the right to expect reasonable continuity of care for the illness or injury for which they are hospitalized. For services provided in the hospital, they have the right to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available. Patients have the right to expect that the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby they are informed by their physician or a delegate of the physician of their continuing healthcare requirements for the present illness or injury following discharge.
12. Mahaska Hospital recognizes the research process as part of the educational advancement in healthcare delivery. However, this institution is aware that both voluntary and involuntary patients of an institution have the constitutional right to be protected from harm. Patients have the right to be informed, and their written consent obtained, prior to any research or scientific study conducted by Mahaska Hospital.
13. Patients have the right to express concerns, grievances or suggestions for improvement regarding their care. They are encouraged to start by telling a nursing staff member or a nursing manager or supervisor who is on duty. Patients can expect a response will be received in each instance.
14. Patients have the right to request and receive pastoral care/spiritual services while hospitalized. They can request that a specific member of the clergy be contacted or they can ask to see the hospital's chaplaincy program clergy person who is on call.
Patient Responsibilities
1. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to provide the hospital and your physician with complete, accurate information on your health and illness.
2. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to report significant changes in your condition to the health care provider at Mahaska Health Partnership.
3. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to ask if you do not understand your plan of care and treatment.
4. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to comply with the care plan recommended by your primary physician and health care team.
5. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own actions, should they fail to comply with the physician and health care team instructions.
6. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to be considerate of other patients and hospital personnel, and to respect the property of the hospital and that of other patients.
7. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for adhering to appropriate rules and regulations of Mahaska Health Partnership.
Revised: 07/01; 07/04