Patient Rights & Responsibilities

In keeping with the philosophy of Ascension, we believe the very best care happens when patients and caregivers work together. Patients who understand and participate in their health care may achieve better results. In case of a minor or patient with a guardian, the following rights and responsibilities are also afforded to the patient's parent and/or guardian. In circumstances when you are not unable to make decisions about your care, treatment and services, we will involve your decision-maker.

Patient Rights

 We will:

• Respect, protect and promote patient rights
• Inform you of your rights
• Provide care in a safe setting
• Treat you with dignity
• Respect your right to, and need for, effective communication that YOU understand
• Respect your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences
• Respect and accommodate your right to religious and other spiritual services
• Allow you to access, amend and obtain information on disclosures of your information, in accordance with law and regulation
• Inform you of your visitation rights. This includes the right to have visitors designated by you, including, but not limited to a spouse, a domestic partner (including same-sex), another family member or a friend. This also includes the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time. See Visitor Information for additional detail
• Allow a family member, friend or other individual to be present with you for emotional support during the course of your stay, unless it infringes on other's rights, safety and medical treatment
• Prohibit discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression
• Provide information in a manner that meets your needs if your have vision, speech, hearing or cognitive impairments
• Respect your right to participate in decisions about your care, treatment and services, including the right to have your own physician promptly notified of your admission to the hospital
• Respect your right to refuse care, treatment and services, in accordance with the law
• Honor your right to give or withhold informed consent. This includes informed consent to produce or use recordings, films or other images of you for purposes other than your care
• Protect you and respect your rights during research, investigation and clinical trials
• Inform you about the individuals responsible for, as well as those providing, your care, treatment and services. This includes the name of the physician, clinical psychologist or other practitioner who has primary responsibility for your care. Because this is a teaching hospital, care may be provided by residents, interns or other students under the direction and close supervision of a physician or other health professional
• Address and respect your decisions about care, treatment and services received at the end of life
• Honor your right to formulate or review and revise your advance directive
• Respect your privacy
• Respect your right to pain management
• Ensure you are free from neglect, exploitation, and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse
• Promote and create an environment that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self-image
• Provide access to protective and advocacy services
• Protect you from physical or mental abuse and corporal punishment. This includes the right to be free from restraint or seclusion, of any form, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation. In addition, restraint or seclusion may only be imposed to ensure your immediate physical safety or that of a staff member or others, and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
• Review your complaints and grievances

Patient Responsibilities

You or your loved ones have the following responsibilities:

• Providing honest and complete information about your current condition and about past medical conditions and treatments
• Letting us know if you do not understand the description of your condition or the course of treatment proposed for your condition
• Acknowledging that if you refuse treatment, you are responsible for the results of the decision
• Following the treatment plan recommended by your health care team, including physicians, nurses and therapists. This responsibility also includes keeping appointments and giving notice when unable to do so
• Paying or ensuring payment for any medical treatment received at Genesys, regardless of insurance
• Respecting the rights of other patients and for Genesys personnel and property. This responsibility particularly recognizes that other patients may be harmed by noisy conversation or behavior
• Following Genesys rules and regulations regarding patient care and conduct. You and your loved ones need to communicate with the caregiver if you intend to leave the nursing unit
• Reporting your pain, including:
• Asking your health care provider (doctor, nurse or clinician) what to expect regarding pain and pain management
• Discussing pain relief options with your nurse
• Asking for pain relief when pain first begins
• Helping your health care provider measure pain
• Telling your health care provider about any pain that will not go away
• Discussing any worries or fears you have about taking pain medication