Patient Rights

Patients' Rights

The following list of rights and responsibilities does not presume to be all-inclusive, but is intended to show our concern for you and to emphasize the need for observance of these rights and responsibilities.

As a patient you have the right to . . .

• Considerate and respectful care provided in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse, harassment or discrimination.
• Participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care and actively participate in decisions regarding your medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to request and/or refuse treatment.
• Be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes) and to discuss this information with your doctor. In an emergency, when you lack decision-making capacity and the need for treatment is urgent, the information is made available to another person on your behalf.
• Have an advance directive (such as health care proxy, organ donation or living will) and the expectation that Iberia Medical Center will honor the intent of the directive to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy.
• Upon your request, have a family member, chosen representative and/or your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital. 
• Access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by verbal or written communication.
• Expect effective pain management to include the following:

• Express your pain and have that expression accepted and respected as the most reliable indicator of pain,
• Have your pain assessed systematically and thoroughly,
• Have your pain managed according to the most currently accepted methods,
• Receive a prompt response to unrelieved pain, and 
• Be informed and involved in all decisions regarding all aspects of your pain care.

• Not undergo any procedure unless you or your legally authorized representative gives voluntary, competent and understanding consent.
• Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff. 
• Expect that those providing care will protect your privacy and support your personal dignity.
• Have your cultural, psychosocial, spiritual and personal values, beliefs and preferences respected.
• Have access upon request to pastoral/spiritual services.
• Expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases your records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.
• Review your own medical record and to have the information explained within a reasonable amount of time, except when restricted by law.
• Expect that Iberia Medical Center will make a reasonable response (to the best of its ability) to a patient’s request for medically indicated care. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept.
• Leave the hospital even against the advice of your physician.
• Know the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care and if Iberia Medical Center has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care.
• Be told of alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
• Be informed by your physician of the continuing healthcare requirements following your discharge from the hospital.
• Know about hospital rules that affect your treatment and about hospital charges and payment methods.
• An itemized and detailed explanation of your complete hospital bill, regardless of the source of payment for your care.
• Communicate concerns/grievances regarding your care to a patient representative.
• Receive answers to ethical questions that may arise in the course of your care or access the Ethics Committee.
• Receive assistance in accessing protective services.
• Access to an interpreter or translator if necessary.
• Expect that medical information disclosed about you and your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of your medical information is done in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Access, request amendment to and receive an accounting of disclosures regarding his/her own health information as permitted under applicable law.