Ethics & Patient Rights
Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Lifespan hospitals recognizes the rights of each of our patients.
State laws have been established to ensure that your rights are
respected. Below is an easy to understand interpretation of the
law. It is also our promise to you.
Your Rights
- As a patient at Rhode Island Hospital, you have the right to
be cared for with kindness and respect.
- You have the right to know the name of the physician responsible
for coordinating your care and the name of any other person who
provides you with treatment while at the hospital.
- You have the right to accept or refuse any treatment to the
extent permitted by law. You also have the right to have the consequences
of accepting or refusing care explained to you.
- You have the right to choose someone to make health care decisions
for you. You also have the right to develop advance directives.
- You have the right to privacy. Your medical information will
only be disclosed to the medical personnel responsible for your
care.
- Our hospital staff will respond to your physician's request
for medical services as quickly as possible. Hospital staff will
also respond to your request for services, unless the services
require the approval of your physician or are inconsistent with
your treatment.
- You have the right to be transferred to another facility once
you are told why it is necessary and the alternatives to the transfer.
- You have the right to know the names of all other health care
and educational institutions that Rhode Island Hospital has authorized
to participate in your treatment, as well as an explanation of
their participation.
- Your physician may ask you to participate in an authorized research
program if he or she believes you will benefit from it. You have
the right to refuse participation in such a program.
- Regardless of your method of payment, you have the right to
review your hospital bill and to receive an explanation of the
charges.
- You have the right to receive an itemized copy of your hospital
bill.
- You have the right to review hospital rules and regulations
that relate to your care.
- You have the right to receive a copy of your health record for
the purpose of supporting an appeal under any provision of the
Social Security Act, if you have documentation of the appeal or
claim under the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, chapters
29-38 of title 28. You will receive your health record within
30 days of your request at no charge.
- You have the right to use a personal television during your
stay if the television complies with Underwriters Laboratory standards
and OSHA standards and is classified as a portable television.
- You have the right to be involved in your care, including pain
management.
- You have the right to be free from restraints and seclusion
of any form that is not medically necessary or that is used as
a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by
staff.
Your Responsibilities
Rhode Island Hospital has the right to expect responsible behavior
from its patients and their families. We expect that you will:
- Provide us with information about your past illnesses, hospitalizations,
medication, allergies and any other issues related to your health.
- Let us know if you do not understand instructions given to you
by our staff or if you think you will be unable to carry out a
particular instruction.
- Not take any drugs unless they have been prescribed by your
physician and administered by hospital staff.
- Be considerate of other patients, particularly with regard to
adherence to the hospital's no smoking, noise and visitation policies.
- Provide complete insurance information.
- Take financial responsibility for paying for all services either
through your insurance or by personally paying for services that
are not covered by insurance.
- Keep all appointments and provide advance notice if you are
unable to keep an appointment.
- Let hospital staff know if you have prepared advance directives
for health care (Durable Power of
Attorney for Healthcare and/or living
will) and provide a copy of any advance directive document(s)
to Rhode Island Hospital.
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact
the ethics committee at your hospital. If you have concerns,
you may contact the R.I. State Department of Health, 3 Capital Hill,
Providence, RI 02908, or call 401-222-2566.
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