Patient Rights

• The patient has the right to respectful care that is provided in consideration of psychosocial, spiritual and cultural variables.
• The patient has the right to obtain from his/her physician and their direct caregivers complete, current information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand.
• The patient has the right to collaborate with his/her physician, to make decisions concerning his/her healthcare including the right to prepare Advance Directives and appoint a surrogate.
• The patient has the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• The patient has the right to every consideration of his/her personal privacy. The patient also has the right to expect that all communications and records shall be treated as confidential.
• The patient has the right to know his/her responsibilities and rights, and what policies and practices apply to his/her care and treatment as a patient. The patient also has the right to present grievances or recommend changes in policies and services - free from restraint, discrimination or reprisal.
• The patient has the right to expect that within its capacity and mission philosophy, the Cancer Network will make a reasonable response to the request of a patient for cancer services or withholding/withdrawal of services. The patient has the right to be transferred to an accepting facility if the Cancer Network facility cannot honor the patient's request.
• The patient has the right not to be transferred to another facility or organization unless he/she has received a complete explanation of the need for transfer and assistance in discharge planning. The facility will not transfer patients based on financial means alone.
• The patient has the right to know the names and professional status of the persons directly involved in his/her care.
• The patient has the right to be advised if the facility or physician proposes to engage in research, experiments or educational projects relating to the patient's care. The patient will be given a description of the expected benefits, potential discomforts and risks, a description of alternative services, and a complete description of the plan of treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in any such activity without any compromise in accessibility to services.
• The patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of the source of payment and to receive, upon request, information relating to financial assistance through the Cancer Network. Upon request, the patient shall receive a copy of his/her facility bill.
• The patient has the impartial right to receive services regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status or source of payment.
• The patient or surrogate has the right to inspect or receive, for a reasonable fee, a copy of his/her medical record without prior authorization from the patient.
• The patient has the right to address any conflicts in decision-making concerning care of the patient with the unit nurse, administrative director or physician. All complaints will be addressed and a response will be given to the patient or surrogate initiating the complaint. Ethical dilemmas relating to medical care that cannot be resolved can be taken to the Clinical Review Committee for clarification and guidance.
• The patient has the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the facility practices and environment are concerned.
• The patient, at his/her own request and expense, has the right to consult with a specialist.
• The patient and, when appropriate, his/her family has the right to be informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.
• The dying patient has the right to care provided with comfort and dignity and acknowledgment of psychosocial and spiritual concerns.
  

Patient Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications and other matters relating to the patient's health and to report any unexpected changes in condition to the responsible practitioner.
• Cooperate with all facility personnel and ask questions if directions and procedures are not understood.
• Be considerate of other patients and facility personnel, refrain from smoking, minimize the amount of noise, the number of visitors and other distractions.
• Provide information necessary for insurance processing; however, the patient has the ultimate responsibility in paying all facility bills.
• Be respectful of the property of other persons and the property of The Cancer Network of West Central Ohio.
• Help the physicians, nurses and allied medical personnel in their efforts to return the patient to good health by following their treatment plans and medical orders, and expressing any concerns about his/her ability to follow the plan and understand the consequences. The patient and family must also work with the staff in making any adaptations.
• Inform and present the physician any Advance Directives that exist, such as Living Wills or Healthcare Durable Powers of Attorney; and/or his/her wishes concerning any medical treatment that may be indicated. The patient is responsible for the consequences if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner's instructions.
• Be responsible for following facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.