For Patients
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Holy Cross Hospital cares for patients in a manner that respects their
dignity. We can best care for patients when they understand their medical
situation and participate in making decisions about their care. This
requires openness, trust and respect among our patients, physicians
and health care professionals. The following patient rights describe
what patients can expect while they receive care at Holy Cross Hospital.
The patient responsibilities describe how patients should participate
in their care at Holy Cross Hospital. Our collaborative approach contributes
to sound decision-making for the benefit and well-being of each patient.
Holy Cross Hospital extends these rights and responsibilities to a
patient’s health care agent or surrogate decision maker as allowed
by law and the patient’s situation.
Patient Rights
You have the right to:
- Safe care and a secure environment that promotes your emotional
and physical health.
- Personal privacy and respectful care. We will listen to you and
respect your personal beliefs and values. You will be able to carry
out your beliefs as long as they do not interfere with the well-being
of others or with the course of treatment you and your physicians
have planned.
- Participate in the development of your care
plan. We will provide you with information to help you make informed
decisions about your care. This information may include your health
status, prognosis, treatment options and related risks, and explanations
of procedures you may undergo. We will also let you know
when your care results in an outcome that was not planned.
- The name, position and professional status of any individual who
is treating you.
- Interpretation services or communication assistance. You have access
to translation services and may learn about your medical care and
treatment plans in a language other than English. You also have access
to assistive devices that facilitate communication if you have problems
with hearing, speech or vision.
- Refuse treatment to the extent permitted
by law. You can leave the hospital against your physician’s advice to the extent
permitted by law. If you leave the hospital against your physician’s
advice, or do not follow the recommended plan of care, the hospital
and your physician will not be held responsible for any harm or financial
consequences that your action might cause you.
- Prepare an advance directive that sets forth your
wishes should you become unable to make health care decisions. You
have a right to appoint an individual to make decisions on your behalf.
Holy Cross Hospital will comply with your directives as long as they
comply with the law and the mission and philosophy of the hospital.
Click here to learn more about making decisions about your care.
- The assessment, reassessment and management of pain.
- Freedom from physical and chemical restraints that are not medically
necessary.
- Freedom from all forms of abuse, neglect and harassment. We will
not discriminate with regard to sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color,
age, gender orientation, disability, national origin or source of
payment for your care.
- Access your medical record within a reasonable time. You can expect
confidentiality regarding communications and records about your care.
The hospital provides patient information only to those involved
in your care or others with a legal right to the information. You
or your legal representative may obtain copies of your medical record
for a fee. You may make a written request for copies to the Medical
Records Department.
- Transfer your care to another physician and/or facility upon your
request. You also may transfer your care whenever you require a service
that Holy Cross Hospital is unable to provide. The hospital may not
be able to provide a service due to lack of capacity or conflict
with its mission or philosophy. In these circumstances, prompt efforts
will be made to arrange for transfer to another facility that can
provide the requested or required service. The hospital will explain
to you the reasons for the transfer and other options. The transfer
will occur only with your consent and when medically appropriate.
- Information about the relationship of the hospital with other health
care and educational institutions.
- Contact the nurse manager on your unit if
you have any questions or concerns, need clarification about hospital
policies or have any special needs. If you prefer, you may contact
the Customer Relations Department at 301.754.7495,
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. After
4:30 p.m., you may dial the operator at 301.754.7000 and
ask to speak to the administrative coordinator.
- Receive an explanation of your hospital bill. Upon request, you
will be given information about the bill, how to seek assistance
in paying the bill or how to seek assistance in filing insurance
forms through the Finance Office at Holy Cross Hospital.
- Submit a complaint if you disagree with or have concerns about
your care. Our grievance process provides you the right to a timely
response. This includes the results of any investigation, the date
of its completion, and the name of a contact person at the hospital.
- Contact the following entities if you have any concerns about patient
care and/or safety in the hospital that have not been addressed:
- The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
1-800-994-6610
complaint@jointcommission.org
- Maryland
Department of Health and Hygiene Office of Health Care Quality
Bland
Bryant Building
Spring Grove Hospital Center
55 Wade Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: 1-877-4MD-DHMH (toll free)
Web site: www.dhmh.state.md.us
Patient Responsibilities
You have the responsibility to:
- Provide your medical history, to the best of your ability. You
may be asked for information about past illnesses, hospitalizations,
medications and other matters relating to your health.
- Provide copies
of advance directives to those responsible for your care while you
are in the hospital. If you do not have an advance directive, you
have the responsibility to inform your care providers about your
requests regarding your plan of care and medical management.
- Not
demand medically inappropriate treatments, services or care.
- Cooperate
and communicate appropriately with your health care team. This enables
each care team member to work with you to achieve your medically
appropriate treatment goals.
- Be considerate of other patients. Assure
that your visitors are considerate as well.
- Keep appointments. Call
the appropriate hospital department when you cannot keep a scheduled
appointment.
- Be respectful of hospital property and the property
of others.
- Inform Holy Cross Hospital, as soon as possible, if you
believe that any of your rights have been, or may be, violated. You
may do this anytime by calling Customer Relations at 301.754.7495.
To speak with a hospital representative after regular business hours,
call the operator at 301.754.7000 and ask to speak
to the administrative coordinator.
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