Patient Rights & Responsibilities

You Have the Right To

• Receive considerate, respectful, and compassionate care.
• Be provided care in a safe environment free from all forms of abuse and neglect, including verbal, mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
• Have a medical screening exam and be provided stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and labor. Expect that the hospital will provide medical evaluation, service or a referral to another facility depending on the urgency of your condition. The institution you want to be transferred to must first accept you as a transfer patient.
• Be free from restraints and seclusion unless needed for safety.
• Be told the names and jobs of the healthcare team members involved in your care if staff safety is not a concern.
• Have respect shown for your personal values, beliefs, and wishes.
• Be treated without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, language, or ability to pay.
• Be provided a list of protective and advocacy services when needed.
• Receive information about your hospital and physician charges and ask for an estimate of hospital charges before care is provided and as long as patient care is not impeded.
• Receive information in a manner you can understand, which may include:
  • Sign and foreign language interpreters
  • Alternative formats, including large print, braille, audio recordings, and computer files
  • Vision, speech, hearing, and other temporary aids as needed, without charge
• Receive information from your doctor or other healthcare practitioners about your diagnosis, prognosis, test results, possible outcomes of care, and unanticipated outcomes of care.
• Access your medical records in accordance with HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Be involved in your plan of care.
• Be screened, assessed, and treated for pain.
• Refuse care.
• In accordance with hospital visitation policies, have a person of your choice remain with you for emotional support during your hospital stay, choose the people who may visit, and change your mind about who may visit.
• Appoint an individual of your choice to make healthcare decisions for you, if you are unable to do so.
• Make or change an advance directive.
• Give informed consent before any nonemergency care is provided, including the benefits and risks of the care, alternatives to the care, and the benefits and risks of the alternatives to the care.
• Agree or refuse to take part in medical research studies, without the agreement or refusal affecting your care.
• Allow or refuse your picture to be taken for purposes other than your care.
• Expect privacy and confidentiality in care discussions and treatments. If you have questions or concerns about your privacy and confidentiality, contact our Privacy Officer at 410-543-7490.
• Be provided a copy of the Health Insurance Portability and
• Accountability Act Notice of Privacy Practices.
• File a complaint about care and have the complaint reviewed without it affecting your care.
• Expect that the hospital will make a reasonable response to your request for appropriate medical care and services.
• Be informed of available resources and practices that relate to patient care, treatment and responsibilities.
• Have a family member or person of your choice and your own doctor promptly notified of your admission to the hospital.
• Know if the hospital has any business relationships with outside parties that may influence your care.
• Be accommodated (within reason) to your right to religious or spiritual services.