Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Providence believes every patient has a right to receive compassionate, considerate care while undergoing procedures or treatment.

As a patient at Providence, you have a right to...

• Receive complete, current information about your medical condition, proposed treatments,
  and prognosis in terms you can understand, including:
  • A description of the nature and purpose of the procedure or treatment
  • The possible benefits
  • The known serious side effects, risks or drawbacks
  • Problems related to recovery
  • The likelihood of success
  • Alternative procedures or treatments
  • Costs— particularly expenses that will be your responsibility
• Agree to and refuse treatment (unless the t reatment is legally required through court orders
  or other appropriate legal authorities). You have the right to have or refuse advance directives
  (such as a living will) and/or appointment of agents to make health care decisions on your
  behalf. You also can make your own decisions concerning organ donations.
• Request consultation regarding ethical issues surrounding your care from the Hospital Ethics
  committee and other appropriate sources.
• Ask questions when you don’t understand the explanations and procedures discussed with you
  by Providence’s health care team.
• Have your privacy respected and your confidentiality honored in all interviews, examinations and treatments. You have the right to know the identity and professional status of all individuals involved in your care.
• Receive impartial access to treatment or accommodations available or ordered by your health care provider, without concerns about your financial status, race, creed, sex, national origin, religion or sources of payment for care.
• Receive compassionate, considerate care with recognition of your personal dignity, psychosocial
  needs and spiritual and cultural values. You have the right to have your religious and spiritual
  needs respected. You also have the right to be hospitalized in a clean, safe environment.
• Receive a copy of your hospital charges and explanation about those charges. You have the right to inquire and apply for financial assistance regarding your hospital bill by contacting our business office at (803) 256-5300.
• Receive discharge and/or transfer instructions with full explanation of why the discharge or transfer is appropriate. If you are transferred, you have the right to be provided with the options, benefits and risks associated with your transfer.
• Obtain a copy of your medical record, provided you follow the hospital’s release policies (a processing fee may apply).
• Receive appropriate assistance as needed if you require special help.
• Freedom from restraints and seclusion in any form when used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience for the staff, or retaliation.
• Communication assistance upon request.
  • Text Telephone (TT)
  • Amplified telephone hand sets
  • Closed captioning
• Have access to people outside the hospital through visitors and verbal and written communication. If you do not speak English, all reasonable efforts will be make to provide an interpreter.
• Have access to protective services.
• Select your physicians and choose a facility other than Providence if you so desire .

Patient Responsibilities

At Providence, we believe every patient has rights and responsibilities as we work to achieve the best
possible care. The following are ways you can best be involved in your hospital care.

• Comply with your physicians’ orders and with nursing or other departments’ care plans.
• Provide accurate and complete information about your past and present medical history.
• Be responsible for your actions should you choose to refuse treatment or not follow physicians’
  instructions.
• Respect other patients’ and staff’s privacy and quiet requirements by limiting personal visitation.
• Respect hospital property and the property of others.
• Properly identify yourself to all hospital staff.
• Comply with hospital safety/contagion policies.
• Accept financial responsibility for services rendered, providing necessary information for insurance and assuming payment responsibility for all hospital bills.

With Regard to Pain and Pain Management

• Discuss pain relief options with your physician and nursing staff.
• Ask your physician or nursing staff about what to expect regarding pain and pain management and
  communicate any concerns about taking pain medications.
• Be involved in developing a pain management plan with your physician and nursing staff .
• Request pain relief when the pain first begins.
• Assist your physician and nursing staff about assessing your pain.
• Communicate with your physician or nursing staff if the pain is not relieved.