Patient Rights & Responsibilities 

Rights

You have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. You can expect the following:

• To be informed of your rights.
• Your care shall not be affected by race, religion, sex, age, ethnicity, culture, language, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
• Your access to communication, visitors, mail and telephone calls shall not be restricted unless clinically indicated or specifically requested by you.
• Your cultural and religious beliefs shall be respected and accommodated, as appropriate.  

Responsibilities

• You have a responsibility to be considerate and to make your needs and expectations known.
• If you feel you are not being treated appropriately, please let the staff or your case manager know.

Rights

You have a right to privacy during the provision of care and discussions regarding your care and treatment and to the confidential handling of your medical record. The hospital will honor the patient's right to give or withhold informed consent to produce or use recordings, films, or other images of the patient for purposes other than his/her care.

Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to respect the privacy and rights of others.

• Telephones, televisions, radios and lights should be used in a manner agreeable to others and consistent with hospital policies.

Rights

You have the right to be informed of your health status. You have the right to make decisions regarding your care including the right to refuse treatment. You also have the right to formulate, review and revise an advance directive to assure that your wishes will be carried out if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. You can expect the following:

• To receive written information about the right to refuse care, treatment and services. The hospital will respect your decision to refuse care, treatment, and services in accordance with law and regulation.
• Your physician and hospital staff shall comply with your advance directive to the extent permitted by law and in keeping with the philosophy of Pella Regional.
• When a surrogate decision-maker is responsible for making care, treatment, and service decisions, the hospital respects the decision to refuse care, treatment, and service on the patient's behalf.

• You may have visitors, the patient can deny visitors at any time, a family member, friend or other Individual may stay for emotional support as long as this person doesn't infringe on other patient's rights, and the hospital cannot discriminate on who visits the patient.

Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to make informed decisions.

Rights

You have the right to be fully informed regarding your care and treatment and to participate in the planning and implementation of your care. You can expect the following:

• To choose whether or not to participate in research, investigation, and clinical trials.
• To have access to your medical record within a reasonable timeframe when requested.
• To be informed about the outcomes of your care, treatment and service including unanticipated outcomes.
• To have your physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.

Rights

• You have a right to pain relief. We care about your pain and will assess and manage it effectively, and provide education to you about your role in pain management.

Rights

You have the right to receive care in a safe and secure environment and to expect reasonable steps to ensure your safety and security during the provision of care. You can expect the following:

• Freedom from all forms of abuse-verbal, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual. 
• Freedom from physical and chemical restraints or seclusion imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
• To access protective and advocacy services as appropriate.

Rights

• You have the right to voice complaints/grievances and to recommend changes in policies and services to the hospital and/or to outside representatives of your choice.

Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to address any concerns/complaints regarding your care.

• Complaints and grievances may be directed to the staff most directly involved in the situation and/or the case manager, department manager or administration.

Pella Regional Health Center believes in the dignity and individuality of each person. As a patient, you are at the center of these beliefs. We always try to be a caring team who meets your needs and protects your rights. When you are well informed and participate in your treatment decisions, you help make your care better.

If you become incapable of exercising these rights, then your surrogate decision-maker, guardian, or next of kin is enabled to exercise these on your behalf.

If you have questions about your rights, ask to speak to the department manager or supervisor. We will serve all persons without regard to race, sex, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or socioeconomic status.

If you have a complaint or concern related to care, treatment, services or patient safety issues, please contact Service Excellence Coordinator Pella Regional Health Center at 641-628-6683.

Or you may contact:

The Joint Commission

www.jointcommission.org

Iowa Department of Inspection & Appeals

Health Facilities Division

Lucas State Office Building

321 East 12th Street

Des Monies, IA 50319-0083

1-877-686-0027 or 515-281-4115