Your Hospital Stay

​​Medications

For your safety, we highly discourage you from using your own medications. This is because our hospital is required to positively identify all medications and verify they have been stored properly.

If you brought medications to the hospital, we will review the containers and labels to help identify which medications you are taking.

We'll then ask that you send these mediations home with a family member or friend, place in the safe in your room, or we'll send the medications to the pharmacy for safekeeping until discharge.

Medications at beside

We do not normally allow mediations at beside. This prevents accidental overdose or misuse by other patients and visitors. It also allows nurses to observe all doses taken.

All new medications ordered while in the hospital are supplied by our pharmacy and billed at hospital rate. Some insurers, including Medicare, may not cover medication cost when you are an outpatient or observation patient.

Patient responsibilities

You and your care team must work together for the best results. Just as you have patient rights, you also have responsibilities:

• Give accurate, complete medical history.
  
• Follow your doctor's advice.
  
• Tell your care team if you cannot follow the instructions or do not understand.
  
• Follow safety instructions.
  
• Be considerate and respectful toward your care team and other patients.
  
• Give us a copy of your written advance directive, if you have one.
  
• Meet your financial obligations to the hospital.
  
  

Ask questions

We encourage you to ask questions about your health, treatment and medication. Ask your nurse, doctor or pharmacist:

• What is my main problem?
  
• What do I need to do?
  
• Why is it important for me to do this?
  

Patient rights

We provide confidential treatment of personal and medical records. You may approve or refuse record release to anyone outside our facility.

Copies of your records and information from records are available. This right does not apply to complaint investigations and inspections by the Department of health where required by third-party contracts or otherwise provide by law.

Notice of Privacy Rights

Our hospitals are committed to protecting the privacy of our patients. We strongly support both state and federal regulations that protect your privacy and afford you certain privacy rights. We have developed a "Notice of Privacy Practices, which provides information on your privacy rights and privacy practices. This notice will be provided to you as a new patient and is available to you upon request.

Patient's bill of rights

At our hospitals, we listen to and act on the needs of all those we serve.

We support the following patient rights to make sure you get the best possible care and information about your care, as permitted by law:

You will have reasonable access to care.

You will not be denied appropriate hospital care because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, newborn status, disability or source of payment.

• You will receive care in a safe setting.
  
• You will be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
  
• You will be free of restraint or seclusion in any form, unless medically necessary. Such measures will never be used for coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
  
• You will receive considerate care that respects your personal values and beliefs.
  
• You will have your personal dignity and privacy respected.
  
• Your doctor will be notified of your admission to the hospital. If you choose, a family member or friend also will be notified.
  
• You may choose to have visitors or no visitors during your stay.
  
• Your pain will be assessed and managed appropriately.
  
• We will get consent from you or your legally authorized representative before any treatment is given, except in emergencies.
  
• You may review your medical records and have the information explained.
  
• All aspects of your care will be kept confidential, such as your medical records, computerized medical information and any arrangements you make to pay bills and charges.
  
• You may consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care.
  
• We will follow your advance directives such as a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare. If you do not have advance directives, we will make them available to you.
  
• You are entitled to know who has overall responsibility for your care.
  
• You will be told of realistic care alternatives.
  
• You will be well-informed about your illness, possible treatment and likely outcome, except in emergencies when you may not be able to make decisions for yourself or the need for treatment is urgent.
  
• You will take part in decisions about your care and any ethical issues that may arise, except in emergencies.
  
• You will participate in making and carrying out your plan of care, except in emergencies.
  
• You or your family has the ability to request additional assistance when you have a concern about your condition.
  
• You can leave the hospital at any time no matter your condition, even if it's against your doctor's advice.
  
• You will not be moved to another facility without a full explanation for the move, or without plans for continuing care and acceptance by the receiving institution, except in emergencies.
  
• You will be permitted to examine your hospital bill and receive an explanation of the bill, regardless of source of payment, and to receive, upon request, information relating to financial assistance available through the hospital.
  

All patients regardless of age have rights. Pediatric patient rights also include:

• Children will not be subjected to any medical treatment without prior consent from a parent, legal guardian or the court system unless in the event of an emergency, when treatment would begin immediately.
  
• Children have the right to have their parent or legal guardian serve as their advocate.
  
• Children have the right during their hospital stay to socialization and age-appropriate emotional support.
  
• Children have the right to continue their educational endeavors while hospitalized, with teaching or tutoring services by their education provider.
  

Patient satisfaction

Our top priority is to provide you with high quality and safe health care. You have the right to voice any questions, concerns or complaints regarding your care. You also have the right to express grievances without coercion, discrimination or reprisal and to receive prompt resolution.

Your resources to share concerns and resolve issues include:

• Your provider
  
• Registered nurses caring for you
  
• Unit manger
  

Or, you may write or call our Patient Experience Liaison: