Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The staff and doctors at Carle respect the dignity and rights of each individual and take seriously our responsibility to provide the highest quality of medical care available.

You have the right to:

• Receive fair treatment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or ability to pay.
  Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean, comfortable, and safe environment free from unnecessary restraints.
  Know the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your care and nay hospital staff who will be involved in your care
  Receive emergency care if you need it
  Have your pain managed effectively including:
• Staff that tells you about pain and pain relief measures
  2. A concerned staff committed to pain management and that responds quickly to your complaints of pain.
• Access protective services. Protective services cover child abuse and neglect, and victims of sexual assault.
• Ask for a second opinion about any treatment. If your insurance does not cover the cost of a second opinion, you will be responsible for payment.
• Ask that a family member, representative and your own doctor be notified promptly upon your admission to the hospital.
• Prepare advanced directives including a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare and receive care that meets your wishes
• Be fully informed of the reasons if you need to be transferred to another healthcare facility.
• Be told about your illness, treatment and chances for recovery in the language and words you understand.
• Receive as much information as you may need in order to give or refuse consent for any planned procedure or treatment. This information shall include the possible risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
• Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health. This includes leaving the hospital against your doctor’s advice.
• Refuse to take part in research. You have the right to a full explanation so you can decide whether to participate.
• Confidentiality and personal privacy. All communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated in confidence. Consults, exams, treatment, and discussions about your care will be conducted as discreetly as your condition allows.
• Ask for emotional and spiritual support
• Ask the ethics committee for help with difficult medical decisions.
• Ask questions or voice concerns about care or service by talking with a staff member including management staff and /or a Patient Representative (Action Line).
• File a complaint with:

      1. The Illinois State Medical Society at (312) 782-1654
      2. The American Medical Association at (312) 464-5000
      3. Central Complaint Registry of the State of Illinois at (800) 252-4343
      4. Illinois Department of Public Health at (217) 782-2913, (TTY 800-547-0466)
     5. The public may contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any      concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 800/994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jcaho.org.

      in addition to using our internal complaint and grievance procedures (accessed through Action line)

• Take part in your care, plans for leaving the hospital and health care requirements after discharge. The hospital will provide you or your care giver with written discharge instructions.
• Review your medical record with a health care provider without charge and obtain a copy for a reasonable charge and in a reasonable timeframe.
• Receive an itemized bill and an explanation of all charges.
• Know the hospital rules and policies that apply to you, your family, and your visitors.
• Refuse care by students in training.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, you have responsibilities, as well as rights. You can help yourself by taking responsibility in the following ways:

• Participate actively in decisions about your care and treatment.
• Treat staff and other patients with respect and dignity.
• Respect other patients’ privacy
• Be thoughtful to other patients, families, and staff and follow hospital rules about patient and visitor conduct.
• Respect hospital property and the property of theirs.
• Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or care.
• Help us control any pain you may experience by:

1. Asking you doctor or nurse what to expect about pain and pain management.

2. Discuss pain relief measures with your doctors and nurses.

3. Work with your doctors and nurse to develop a pain management plan that lessens pain without interfering with your recovery.

4. Ask for pain relief when pain first begins.

5. Tell your doctor or any clinical staff if your pain is too great.

6. Tell your doctor or any clinical staff about any worries you have about taking pain medication.

• Know what you should do about your healthcare when you leave the hospital, including follow-up care.

• Know your complete treatment plan. This includes making and keeping scheduled appointments.

• Participate in your healthcare. This means:

1. Giving accurate and complete information about your health.
2. Answering all questions honestly and accurately.
3. Asking questions so that you understand what is happening and why.
4. Following the treatment your care providers have planned.
5. Telling us about any changes in your condition.
6. Knowing the doctor who is in charge of your care.

• Provide accurate and complete information about your family’s health insurance or other arrangements to pay your hospital bill.
• Pay your bills in a timely manner
• Ask about our charity care program if you can't pay your bills (Learn more)
• In the interest of improved health, Carle maintains a smoke-free environment in all of our facilities. You must abide by this policy. Visitors may not smoke in any patient room, anywhere inside Carle buildings or in any designated non-smoking areas outside the buildings.