Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities

RIGHTS OF THE PATIENT:

• Patients shall have the following rights without regard to age, race, sex, national origin, religion, cultural or physical handicap, personal value and benefits
• Personal privacy is safeguarded at check-in & evaluation and treatment areas.
• Every patient has the right to receive from his/her physician enough information so that he/she may understand the procedure or treatment being received in order to sign informed consent. In addition, the patient can exercise these rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.
• Every patient has the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, privacy, responsiveness, and timely attention to his/her needs.
• Every patient has the right to a safe environment.
• Every patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy and individuality as it relates to his social religious and psychological well being.
• Every patient has the right to confidentiality. Has the right to approve or refuse the release of medical information to any individual outside the facility, except in the case of transfer to another health facility or as required by law or third party payment contract.
• Every patient has the right to continuity of health care. The physician may not discontinue treatment of a patient as long as further treatment is medically indicated, without giving the patient sufficient opportunity to make alternative arrangements.
• Every patient is provided complete information regarding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, as well as alternative treatments or procedures and possible risks and side effects associated with treatment. If medically inadvisable to disclose to patient such information, the information is given to a person designated by patient or to a legally authorized individual.
• Every patient has the right to make decisions regarding the health care that is recommended by the physician. Accordingly, the patient may accept or refuse any recommended medical treatment.
• Every patient has the right to change health care providers at any time
• Every patient has the right to be informed of any research or experimental projects and to refuse participation without compromise to the patients usual care.
• Every patient has the right to appropriate treatment and care to include the assessment managements of pain.
• If a patient is adjudged incompetent under applicable state laws by a court or proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on the patient’s behalf.
• If a state court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative or surrogate designated by the patient in accordance with State law may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by the State law.
• Every patient has the right to understand facility charges. You have the right to an explanation of all facility charges related to your health care.
• Every patient has the right to all resuscitative measures; therefore we will not honor Advance Directives.
• Every patient has the right to express grievances or complaints without fear of reprisals to the following entities:

OHCQ
7120 Samuel Morse Drive 2nd Floor Columbia,MD 21046 410-402-8040

Medicare Ombudsman website: www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicae-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html Medicare: www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATIENT:

• Patients are responsible to be honest and direct about matters that relate to them, including answering questions honestly and completely.
• Patients are responsible to provide accurate past and present medical history, present complaints. Past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, existence of advance directive, medication and other pertinent data.
• Agree to accept all caregivers without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender preference, handicap, or national origin.
• Patients are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations for health care rendered are paid in a timely manner.
• Patients are responsible to sign required consents and releases as needed.
• Patients are responsible for their actions if they should refuse a treatment or procedure, or if they do not follow or understand the instructions given them by the physician or SurgCenter of Northern Baltimore employees.
• Patients are responsible for keeping their procedure appointment. If they anticipate a delay or must cancel, they will notify SurgCenter of Northern Baltimore as soon as possible.
• Patients are responsible for the disposition of their valuables, as SurgCenter of Northern Baltimore does not assume the responsibility.
• Patients are responsible to be respectful of others, or other people’s property and the property of SurgCenter of Northern Baltimore.
• Patients are to observe safety and no smoking regulations.

PATIENT COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE

To report a complaint or grievance you may contact the facility Administrator by phone at (410) 657-8008 or by mail to the center address.

Complaints and grievances may also be filed through OHCQ, 7120 Samuel Morse Drive, 2nd Floor, Columbia, MD 21046, OR by phone at (410) 402-8040.

All Medicare beneficiaries may file a complaint or grievance with the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman Online.