Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The patient has the right:

To be treated with courtesy, respect, and consideration with appreciation of his or her individual dignity and with protection and provision of personal privacy as appropriate
To receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin or sponsor;
To an environment that is respectful, safe and secure for self/person and property without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal
To confidentiality of information gathered during treatment
To prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests
To know who is providing and is responsible for his or her care and their credentials
To know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he or she does not speak English
To know what rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct
To be given by the health care provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her actions
To be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his or her care
To know upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the health care provider or health care Facility accepts their Advance Directives
To receive upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care
To receive a copy of reasonably clear and understandable, itemized bill and, upon request, to have charges explained
To receive impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, physical handicap, or source of payment
To make known his/her wishes in regard to anatomic gifts. This can be documented in the Health Care Proxy or on a donor card.
To change their healthcare provider if other qualified providers are available
To be informed of the provision of off hour emergency care
To receive treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment
To know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental/research and to give his or her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research
To make informed decisions regarding his or her care
To receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any nonemergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would
disclose in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision;
To be fully informed about a treatment or procedure and the expected outcome before it is performed
To approve or refuse their release of confidential disclosures and records, except when release is required by law
To express grievances regarding their treatment or care that is or fails to be furnished or regarding any violation of his or her rights.
To express a grievance, the patient may contact the facility telephone at (845)218-4211 and ask for the Administrator or Nurse Manager, or write a letter to Administrator, The Surgery Center at Orthopedic Associates, 1910 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. You may call the New York State Department of Health toll-free number at 1-800-804-5447 or by mail at: New York State Department of Health, Centralized Hospital Intake Program, Mailstop: CA/DCS, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237. To complain to the Medicare program, contact the Office of the Medicare Ombudsman website is http://www.medicare.govIclaims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/gethelp/ombudsman.html.
To participate in all aspects of health care decisions, unless contraindicated for medical reasons
To appropriate assessment and management of pain
If the patient has been adjudged incompetent under applicable state laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient will be exercised by the person appointed under state law to act on the patient’s behalf.
To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment

A patient is responsible:

For providing to the health care provider, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications including over-the-counter products and other dietary supplements, allergies and sensitivities and other matters relating to his or her health
For having a responsible adult to transport him or her home from the facility and to remain with him or her for 24 hours
For reporting unexpected changes in his or her condition to the health care provider
For reporting to the healthcare provider whether he or she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him or her
For following the treatment plan prescribed/recommended by the health care provider and participate in his or her care
For keeping appointments and when he or she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the Facility
For his or her actions if he or she refuses treatment or does not follow the health care provider’s instructions
For assuring that the financial obligations of his or her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible
For accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by his or her insurance
For following Facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct
For consideration and respect of the facility, health care professionals and staff, other patients and property
For informing his or her provider of any living will, medical power of attorney or other directive that could affect care