Notice Of Patient Rights

Patient Responsibilities

So we may give you the best possible care, you should provide our staff all the information you can, concerning your general health.
As a patient, you are responsible for cooperating with hospital personnel and telling them if you do not understand their instructions or if you believe you cannot follow the instructions.
You and your visitors have the responsibility for obeying the rules and regulations of the hospital, particularly those concerning the number of visitors you may have and limitation on visits by children.
You have the responsibility to tell a staff member if you are not receiving fair or proper treatment.
You are responsible for keeping scheduled follow-up appointments or to notify the hospital so adequate provisions can be made for your care.
Finally, you have the responsibility to provide necessary financial information and take action to see that your hospital bill is paid promptly.

Patient Rights

The University Hospital respects the basic rights for patients set forth by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Our hospital supports the idea that observance of these rights will promote the highest standard of medical care and respect for each patient’s personal dignity. It is also the policy of The University Hospital not to discriminate in the care of patients on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, age or status as disabled or veteran of the Vietnam Era.
You have the right to quality care and to treatment not influenced by sex, race, education, source of payment or any other factor unrelated to your care and to expect the hospital and its staff to respond to any other reasonable request for services we can provide.
You have the right to be recognized as an individual with unique health care needs, to be treated with respect, listened to, served courteously and addressed by the title you prefer. Your language/communication, cultural, psychosocial and spiritual variables influencing the perceptions of illness, are to be respected in providing medical care and support to you and your family.
You have the right to know the name and qualifications of anyone involved in your care and the right to expect and obtain, from your physician, complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms you can reasonably be expected to understand. This and any other information necessary to enable you to make treatment decisions reflecting your wishes should be provided expect where, in the opinion of the primary physician, the information will adversely affect your prognosis.
You have the right to information about pain management, a staff committed to pain prevention and management and access to safe treatments.
You also have the right to refuse treatment and/or leave the hospital against medical advice, except in certain very special situations. You have the right to be informed of the medical consequence of such action.
You have the right to know about and decide whether to participate in any research or experimental treatment related to your medical care.
You have the right to state your health care decision in advance through a valid Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney. The University Hospital will recognize these documents consistent with Ohio Law and in accordance with hospital policy. The Patient Relations Department, social workers or a chaplain will provide assistance with these forms at your request. However, the existence of a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney is not a condition or prerequisite for medical care.
You have the right to confidentiality in your conversations with medical or hospital staff members and the right to privacy during examinations and treatment. In addition, it is the right of the patient and/or the patient’s legally designated representative to have access to the information contained in the patient’s medical records, within reasonable time and place restriction and limits of the law.
You have the right to an explanation of your bill and assistance in obtaining whatever aid is available to you.
You have a right to file a complaint without fear your action will affect your care. You can expect a timely response, thoroughly addressing your complaint.
You have the right to access protective services when your physical, mental or living condition puts you at risk or indicates possible neglect, abuse or exploitation. Hospital Social Work Services will help identify appropriate community or government agencies to contact for assistance.
You or your designated representative has the right to participant in the discussion of ethical issues concerning your care. You may request consultation with the Ethics Committee by asking a member of the health care team or calling the hospital paging operator at 584-7243 and asking for Ethics Consultant on call.
If you are unable to understand proposed treatments or procedures or are unable to communicate your wishes regarding treatment, your guardian, next of kin or legally authorized responsible person can exercise, to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy, the rights delineated on your behalf.
The University Hospital provides qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids for sensory-impaired patients, at no cost. Additional aids which may be requested are: amplified telephones, telecommunication devices for the deaf, flash cards and supplemental hearing devices. Use of these aids is based on availability. Please notify a member of your health care team or Patient Relations Department at 584-6201 if you need auxiliary communication aids.
The University Hospital recognizes the need to communicate with all of our patients and their families. Taking into consideration spoken language barriers, the Patient Relations Department has provided a Language Bank of individuals to meet and facilitate the need of language interpretation. Please contact the Patient Relations Department at 584-6201 for further information.
If, for any reason, patients or their representatives feel their rights have been violated, a grievance may be filed with the Patient Relations Department. Call 584-6201.