PATIENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Rights

As a patient, you have the right:

  • To have access to the patient rights and responsibilities established by this center.
  • To see posted written notice of the patient rights in a place or places within the facility likely to be noticed by patients (or their representative, if applicable) waiting for treatment. The written poster will include name, address, and telephone number of a representative of the state agency to whom the patient can report complaints, as well as the website for the
    Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.
  • To be treated with respect, consideration and dignity.
  • To be respected for your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences.
  • To effective communication. The center communicates with the patient who has vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments in a manner that fits the patient’s need.
  • To receive information in a manner tailored to the patient’s age, language, and ability to understand. The center provides interpreting and translation services.
  • To be provided appropriate privacy. Patient disclosures and records are treated confidentially, and patients are given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release, except when release is required by law.
  • To access, request amendment to, and obtain information on disclosures of his or her health information, in accordance with law and regulation.
  • To receive care in a safe setting.
  • To refuse participation in experimental research.
  • To pain management.
  • To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
  • To be fully informed about a treatment or procedure and the expected outcome before the procedure is performed.

Patients are provided, to the degree known, complete information, concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or a legally authorized person.

The center provides the patient or surrogate decision-maker with the information about the outcomes of care, treatment, or services that the patient needs in order to participate in current and future health care decisions.

The center informs the patient or surrogate decision-maker about unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment.

  • To be informed of your right to change your provider if other qualified providers are available.
  • To have appropriate information regarding the absence of malpractice insurance coverage.
  • To truthful marketing and advertising regarding the competence and capabilities of the organization.
  • To exercise your rights without being subject to coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or interruption of care that could adversely affect you.
  • To information about procedures for expressing suggestions, complaints, and grievances, including those required by state and federal regulations.
  • To receive in advance of the date of the procedure the center’s policies on advance directives, including a description of applicable state health and safety laws and if requested, official state advance directive information forms.
  • To receive written information about your physician’s possible ownership in Griffiss Eye Surgery Center. Patients are informed about physician ownership at least 24 hours before being admitted to the center.
  • To information regarding fee for services and payment policies.
  • To information regarding the services available at the organization, provisions for after-hour emergency care, and the credentials of healthcare professionals.
  • If a patient is adjudged incompetent under applicable state health and safety laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed under state law to act on the patient’s behalf.
  • If a state court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative designated by the patient, in accordance with the state law, may exercise the patient’s rights to the extend allowed by state law.

Advance Notice of Rights

The patient has the right to receive verbal and written notice in advance of the date of the procedure, in a language and manner that the patient or the patient’s representative understands. The center gives brochures to each patient being admitted with the center’s written policies and the nurse making the preoperative call informs the patient verbally.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, you have the responsibility

  • To provide complete and accurate information to the best of your ability about your health, any medications, including over the counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities.
  • To follow the treatment plan prescribed by your provider.
  • To provide a responsible adult to transport you home from the facility and remain with you for 24 hours, if required by your provider.
  • To inform your provider about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect your care.
  • To accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by your insurance.
  • To be respectful of the health care providers and staff, as well as other patients.