Patient Rights

While a patient at Clara Barton MEdical Center, you have the right to:

Considerate and respectful care delivered by competent personnel
Have all records and discussions concerning your medical care treated as confidential, except as permitted by law
Full information in terms you can understand concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, including the risks and benefits of those treatments as well as alternative therapies
Give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure, except in emergencies
Refuse medications, treatments or procedures, to the extent permitted by law and information about medical consequences of refusal, You also have the right to expect other needed and available care
Assistance in obtaining consultations with another physician at your request
Medical care without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual preference, national origin or source of payment
Access, whenever possible, to an interpreter if you do not speak English
All information in your medical record, unless access is specifically restricted by the attending physician for medical reasons
Be involved in all aspects of your care
Name a person of your choosing to be your personal representative to speak for you if you are unable to do so yourself without regard to familial relationship
Have visitors of your choosing without regard to familial relationship and to confer the same visitation privileges as family to persons of your choosing without regard to race, color, age, gender, marital status, sexual preference, national origin or ethnicity
Have your wishes for end of life care honored; to formulate or change Advanced Directives at any time
Exclude any or all members of family from participating in healthcare decisions
Consent or decline to participate in research
Know about hospital rules and regulations that affect you or your visitors
To receive care in a safe secure environment free from abuse or harassment of any kind
Free from restraints or seclusion unless necessary to protect you or others
File a grievance or complaint without fear of retaliation or change in care standards
Be informed of the name and functions of all persons who are providing direct care including any consulting specialist
To have physical privacy during treatments or personal care
To be informed about continuing healthcare needs after discharge and to receive assistance in arranging for any required follow up care
Respect for your values and dignity

You are responsible for

Providing complete and accurate information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use of medications
Asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
For telling your physician if you feel you will not be able to follow through with your treatment
Being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. This includes your visitors
Recognizing the effect of lifestyle on your personal health as well as recognizing that healthcare related decisions made by you on a daily basis affect your health status
Providing information about insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, needed