We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. This hospital encourages respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual.

While you are a patient in the hospital, your rights include the following:

You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.

You have the right to 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 records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.

You have the right to know the names and roles of people treating you.

You have the right to expect hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital to comply with your advance directives.

You have the right to receive care in a safe setting.

You have the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

You have the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.

You have the right to considerate and respectful care.

You have the right to be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcomes and to discuss this information with your doctor. You have the right to know the names and roles of the people treating you.

You have the right to consent to or refuse treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.

You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. These documents express your choices about future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself. If you have a written advance directive, you should provide a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor. Complaints about the handling of Advance Directives may be reported to the Texas Department of Health (1-800-222-1570).

You have the right to privacy. The hospital, your doctor, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.

You have the right to review your medical records and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.

You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its' ability. 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 you.

You have the right to know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers.

You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

You have the right to know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about charges and payment methods. You have the right to know about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees, that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care. You have the right to complain about the quality of your care. If you wish to register a complaint, please contact administration or the charge nurse. You have the right to express your spiritual beliefs and cultural practices that do not harm others or interfere with your medical treatment.

You have the right to expect the hospital to provide for your communication needs. This includes accommodating hearing or speech impairments.

You have the right to have your family or another designated person help make health care decisions for you if you are unable to understand your treatment plan, unable to communicate your wishes, or if you are a minor.

You have the right to participate in decisions about the withholding of resuscitative services and the forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. If dying, you have the right to expect to be made as comfortable and pain free as possible, while being provided with respectful and responsive care.

You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.

You have the right to donate tissues and organs. 6714.

You have the right to detailed explanation of all hospital charges. Should any patient desire to file a complaint against the hospital in addition to or instead of bringing the concern to the attention of the hospital, he or she may do so by contacting: Hospital Licensing Section, Texas Department of Health, Health Facility Licensing Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756-3199, Telephone: (512) 834-6648, or Fax: (512) 834-6714.

Your Responsibilities:

You have responsibilities as a patient. You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, and use of medicine. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you can't follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.

This hospital works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.

Your health depends not just on your health care, but in the long term, on the decision you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health.

A hospital serves many purposes. Hospitals work to improve people's health; treat people with injury and disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients, and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, this institution works to respect your values and dignity.

PEDIATRIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS

In addition to rights of adult patients, children/adolescents of their parents/guardians have the following rights.

• Respect



• Provision of normal physical and physiological needs of children



• Consistent supportive and nurturing care



• Provisions for self-esteem needs



• Provision for varied and normal stimuli of life



• Information about procedures before, during, and after



• Support in coping



• Participation of children/families in decisions



• Minimization of hospital stay



• Family responsibilities include:



• Continuing the parenting role



• Being available to participate in decision making and providing our staff with knowledge of whereabouts.