AHN Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Overview Statement

This policy applies to the AHN entities and individuals outlined in the policy applicability section below.

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) wants patients, and their family members (as defined by the patient) or guardians, to know their rights under federal and Pennsylvania state law as soon as possible during a hospital stay.  AHN is committed to honoring patient's rights and wants each patient to know that by playing an active role in their healthcare, they can help our caregivers better meet their needs and those of their family members. Additionally, we ask our patients and their families to share in specific responsibilities that will allow AHN to deliver high quality, compassionate care.

The following Patient Rights & Responsibilities have been established to provide support and structure to patients and their families.

1. To increase awareness of the AHN staff, physicians and patients of their shared rights and responsibilities.
2. To encourage a cooperative team effort between AHN staff and patients during a patient's care and treatment.
3. To support and adhere to the standards set forth by accrediting agencies.
4. To define how AHN will share patient rights and responsibilities with our patients and/or their family members.

Terms and Definitions

Patient rights – entitlements resulting in requirements, which AHN must fulfill.

Patient responsibilities – obligations of an individual while a patient of Allegheny Health Network.

HAP – Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania.

Administration

1. The Statement of Patient Rights and Responsibilities applies to the entire patient population. When the patient is a minor or is incompetent, a parent or guardian or designated/legal representative will have both the right and responsibility to be involved in the patient's care and treatment. Patients will be informed of their rights and responsibilities at the earliest possible moment in the course of their treatment.
2. Copies of patient's right and responsibilities are displayed in the inpatient and outpatient registration areas of the hospitals and freestanding outpatient sites. All inpatients will receive a copy of their rights and responsibilities at the time of registration or admission. Patient rights and responsibility brochures will be visible and available to patients at each visit.
3. All AHN locations which are licensed as acute care will use The Statement of Patient Rights & Responsibilities approved by HAP. The HAP brochure may be purchased and directly used or the information in the brochure may be reproduced and used as long as HAP is credited in the document as follows: reprinted with the permission of the Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania.
4. Ambulatory surgery facilities include patient rights and responsibilities statements in preadmission packages and additionally post patient rights and responsibilities statements throughout the facilities.
5. The Patient Representative will offer assistance to anyone having questions regarding The Statement of Patient Rights and Responsibilities.

Procedures:

Patient Rights

As a patient you have the right to receive care without discrimination due to age, sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, income, education, national origin, ancestry, marital status, culture, language, disability, gender identity, or who will pay your bill. As our patient, you have the right to safe, respectful, and dignified care at all times. You will receive services and care that are medically suggested and within the hospital's services, its stated mission, and required laws and regulations.

A. Communication: You have the right to:

1. Have a family member, as defined by the patient, or another person that you choose, or your doctor notified when you are admitted to the hospital.
2. Receive information in a way that you understand. This includes interpretation and translation, free of charge, in the language you prefer for communication about your health care. This also includes providing you with needed help if you have vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
3. Designate a support person, if needed, to act on your behalf to assert and protect your patient rights.

B. Informed Decisions: You have the right to:

1. Receive information about your current health, care, outcomes, recovery, ongoing health care needs, and future health status in terms that you understand.
2. Be informed about proposed care options including the risks and benefits, other care options, what could happen without care, and the outcome(s) of any medical care provided, including any outcomes that were not expected. You may need to sign your name before the start of any procedure and/or care. "Informed consent" is not required in the case of an emergency.
3. Be involved in all aspects of your care and to take part in decisions about your care.
4. Make choices about your care based on your own spiritual and personal values.
5. Request care. This right does not mean you can demand care or services that are not medically needed.
6. Refuse any care, therapy, drug, or procedure against the medical advice of a doctor. There may be times that care must be provided based on the law.
7. Expect the hospital to get your permission before taking photos, recording, or filming you, if the purpose is for something other than patient identification, care, diagnosis, or therapy.
8. Decide to take part or not take part in research or clinical trials for your condition, or donor programs that may be suggested by your doctor. Your participation in such care is voluntary, and written permission must be obtained from you or your legal representative before you participate. A decision to not take part in research or clinical trials will not affect your right to receive care.

C. Visitation: You have the right to:

1. Decide if you want visitors or not while you are here. The hospital may need to limit visitors to better care for you or other patients.  Refer to the AHN Patient Visitation Policy.
2. Designate those persons who can visit you during your stay. These individuals do not need to be legally related to you.
3. Designate a support person who may determine who can visit you if you become incapacitated.

D. Advance Directives: You have the right to:

1. Create advance directives, which are legal papers that allow you to decide now what you want to happen if you are no longer healthy enough to make decisions about your care. You have the right to have hospital staff comply with these directives.
2. Ask about and discuss the ethics of your care, including resolving any conflicts that might arise such as, deciding against, withholding, or withdrawing life-sustaining care.

E. Care Planning: You have the right to:

1. Receive a medical screening exam to determine treatment.
2. Participate in the care that you receive in the hospital.
3. Receive instructions on follow-up care and participate in decisions about your plan of care after you are out of the hospital.
4. Receive a prompt and safe transfer to the care of others when this hospital is not able to meet your request or need for care or service. You have the right to know why a transfer to another health care facility might be required, as well as learning about other options for care. The hospital cannot transfer you to another hospital unless that hospital has agreed to accept you.

F. Care Delivery: You have the right to:

1. Expect emergency procedures to be implemented without unnecessary delay.
   
2. Receive care in a safe setting free from any form of abuse, harassment, and neglect.
3. Receive kind, respectful, safe, quality care delivered by skilled staff.
4. Know the names of doctors and nurses providing care to you and the names and roles of other health care workers and staff that are caring for you.
5. Request a consultation by another health care provider.
6. Receive proper assessment and management of pain, including the right to request or reject any or all options to relieve pain.
7. Receive care free from restraints or seclusion unless necessary to provide medical, surgical, or behavioral health care.
8. Receive efficient and quality care with high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

G. Privacy and Confidentiality: You have the right to:

1. Limit who knows about your being in the hospital.
2. Be interviewed, examined, and discuss your care in places designed to protect your privacy.
3. Be advised why certain people are present and to ask others to leave during sensitive talks or procedures.
4. Expect all communications and records related to care, including who is paying for your care, to be treated as private.
5. Receive written notice that explains how your personal health information will be used and shared with other health care professionals involved in your care.
6. Review and request copies of your medical record unless restricted for medical or legal reasons.

H. Hospital Bills: You have the right to:

1. Review, obtain, request, and receive a detailed explanation of your hospital charges and bills.
2. Receive information and counseling on ways to help pay for the hospital bill.
3. Request information about any business or financial arrangements that may impact your care.

I. Complaints, Concerns, and Questions: You and your family/guardian have the right to:

1. Tell hospital staff about your concerns or complaints regarding your care. This will not affect your future care.
2. Seek review of quality of care concerns, coverage decisions, and concerns about your discharge.
3. Expect a timely response to your complaint or grievance from the hospital. Complaints or grievances may be made in writing, by phone, or in person. The hospital has a duty to respond to these complaints or grievances in a manner that you can understand.  You may contact the Patient Relations Department at your hospital by dialing the main hospital switchboard operator.
4. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is also available to assist you with any questions or concerns about your hospital care. You can reach the Department of Health by calling (800) 254-5164 or writing:
   
   Acute and Ambulatory Care Services
   Pennsylvania Department of Health
   Room 532 Health and Welfare Building
   625 Forster Street
   Harrisburg, PA 17120
5. You may also contact The Joint Commission, a hospital accreditation organization, at:
   
   The Joint Commission–Office of Quality Monitoring
   One Renaissance Boulevard
   Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
   (800) 994-6610 or complaint@jointcommission.org
6. Please feel free to ask questions about any of these rights that you do not understand. If you have questions about these rights, please discuss them with your doctor or nurse or your Hospital's Patient Relations Department. You will receive a personal response.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, family member, or guardian, you have the right to know all hospital rules and what we expect of you during your hospital stay.

A. Provide Information: As a patient, family member, or guardian, we ask that you:

1. Provide accurate and complete information about current health care problems, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health.
2. Report any condition that puts you at risk (for example, allergies or hearing problems).
3. Report unexpected changes in your condition to the health care professionals taking care of you.
4.  Provide a copy of your Advance Directive, Living Will, and/or Durable Power of Attorney for health care, and any organ/tissue donation permissions to the health care professionals taking care of you.
5. Tell us who, if any, visitors you want during your stay.

B. Respect and Consideration: As a patient, family member, or guardian, we ask that you

1. Recognize and respect the rights of other patients, families, and staff. Threats, violence, or harassment of other patients and hospital staff will not be tolerated.
2. Comply with AHN’s tobacco policy.
3. Comply with the AHN’s infection prevention policies.
4. Refrain from conducting any illegal activity on hospital property. Such activity, if it occurs, will be reported to the police.

C. Safety: As a patient, family member, or guardian, we ask that you:

1. Promote your own safety by becoming an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team.
2. Ask questions if you are concerned about your health or safety.
3. Make sure your doctor knows the site/side of the body that will be operated on before a procedure.
4. Remind staff to check your identification before medications are given, blood/blood products are administered, blood samples are taken, or before any procedure.
5. Remind caregivers to wash their hands before taking care of you.
6. Be informed about which medications you are taking and why you are taking them.
7. Ask all staff to identify themselves.

D. Refusing Care: As a patient:

1. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse care or do not follow care instructions.

E. Charges: As a patient:

1. You are responsible for paying for the health care that you received as promptly as possible.

F. Cooperation: As a patient:

1. You are expected to follow the care plans suggested by the health care professionals caring for you while in an AHN hospital. You should work with your health care professionals to develop a plan that you will be able to follow while in an AHN hospital and after you leave.