Your Rights & Responsibilities

Respect for our patients and their healthcare journey is integral to Riverside Healthcare’s culture of caring. And we developed the following set of patient rights and responsibilities out of genuine respect and consideration for our patients. They reflect our core values of partnership, integrity and excellence and stewardship and indicate the quality of care you can expect to receive from us because we believe that you and all of our patients deserve the highest standard of care and to be completely satisfied with your healthcare experience.

Patient’s Rights

The patient (or patient’s representative) (as allowed under state and federal law) has the following rights:

1. To be given access to treatments and facilities regardless of race, religion, color, language, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, ability to understand, physical or mental handicap/disability or any other classification protected by any applicable law. If Riverside Medical Center (RMC) cannot provide the care needed, staff will inform you of your needs and the alternatives to care.
2. To accommodate any special needs or disabilities including provision of interpretive assistance or assistive devices. To be respected as an individual deserving competent, private and compassionate care.
3. To know the names of your physicians and your healthcare team members.
4. To receive pastoral care and/or spiritual guidance.
5. To receive care and treatment consistent with sound nursing and medical practices in a safe setting free of abuse, neglect or harassment.
6. To access protective and advocacy services.
7. To be free from seclusion and restraints of any form that is not medically necessary.
8. To be informed of your health status, condition and proposed treatment, to be involved in care planning and treatment, and to make informed decisions regarding your care.
9. To be informed about the outcomes of care, treatment and services, including unanticipated outcomes.
10. To participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.
11. To have privacy (visual and auditory) and discreet consultations involving your care.
12. To have your spiritual, cultural, and psychosocial needs, beliefs and values respected.
13. To be in an environment that preserves dignity and a positive self-image.
14. To obtain information regarding the relationship of RMC, your physician and other organizations as it relates to your care.
15. To collaborate with your healthcare staff to make informed decisions.
16. To refuse to talk to or see anyone not officially connected with RMC or your physician’s office.
17. To receive a reasonable response to your request for services.
18. To formulate Advance Directives, including appointing a surrogate to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
19. To review clinical criteria used in utilization activities in the event you are notified that your stay is non-certified.
20. To receive pain management.
21. To require or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. The patient does not have the right to medically unnecessary or inappropriate services.
22. To request a consultation or second opinion from another physician as well as to change physicians, hospitals or outpatient centers.
23. To have a family member or representative and your physician notified of admission.
24. To participate in research studies after receiving an explanation of the nature and possible consequences of the research before it is conducted and after giving informed consent.
25. To consent to, or refuse to consent to, being filmed or recorded without such a decision affecting the healthcare received.
26. To request and participate in an ethics consultation.
27. To know the approximate cost of hospital or outpatient services or whether a service is covered by Medicare or other insurer before admission or treatment, and to examine and receive a reasonable explanation of the patient’s bill for services rendered by your physician or healthcare provider, including the itemized charges for specific services rendered.
28. To have your end-of-life wishes honored by your caregivers, including the right to withhold resuscitative services or withdraw life-sustaining services.
29. To have your organ donation wishes honored by your caregivers.
30. To have personal privacy and confidentiality of your medical information (to the extent provided by law).
31. To inspect, copy and request amendments to your medical information and to have access to your medical record in the presence of a physician while hospitalized. After discharge, you may request a copy of your medical record.
32. To request restrictions or limitations on the medical information RMC discloses about the patient.
33. To receive confidential communication (i.e., that RMC only contacts you in a certain manner or at a certain location) from RMC.
34. To have an accounting of disclosures required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s Privacy Rule.
35. To receive a copy of RMC’s Notice of Privacy Practices upon your first visit to RMC.
36. To know the identity and the role of the individuals involved in your care. Because RMC is a teaching hospital, there are many members of the healthcare team participating in your care and treatment. You may request that an individual not be assigned to your care and may expect this request to be honored whenever possible without jeopardizing access to medical or psychiatric attention.
37. To receive visitors or a support person of your choice while preserving patient safety and clinical needs. You can withdraw or deny visitation consent at any time.

Patient’s or Family Member’s Responsibilities

1. To provide accurate and complete information about your health to the best of your knowledge.
2. To provide the information necessary for insurance processing and timely payment for services provided.
3. To ask questions if the information is not fully understood.
4. To follow the treatment plan and inform your physician or healthcare staff member of any changes in your condition.
5. To let us know if you do not understand the treatment plan or decisions about your care.
6. To accept the outcomes if you do not follow the care, treatment and service plans provided by the staff.
7. To follow the rules and regulations of Riverside Medical Center (RMC).
8. To treat other patients, RMC staff and your physicians, including their property, with consideration and respect.
9. To inform the staff or your physician if you are dissatisfied with your care.
10. To tell us if you have a Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Legal Guardianship for the patient or are an organ donor.