Patient Rights

Based on the mission of St.Joseph Hospital, we believe that every patient has the right:

• To receive considerate and respectful care regardless of sex, religious belief, race/color, or ability to pay;
• To receive appropriate services and treatment within the hospital’s capacity, its stated mission and policies, and applicable laws and regulations;
• To request assistance when English is not your primary language, or visual or hearing impairments affect communication;
• To receive appropriate assessment and management of pain;
• To have family members or representatives of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital;
• To be informed of hospital rules and regulations which apply to your conduct as a patient;
• To know the names and roles of the people treating you;
• To examine and receive an explanation of your bill and to be informed of available payment methods;
• To know of business relationships that the hospital has that may influence your treatment and care;
• To be transferred to another facility as recommended or requested and to be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives to transfer; a transfer will not occur until the other institution agrees to the transfer.

Care and Concerns

• To receive complete information regarding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis; such information should be in terms that are easily understood and should be provided in a timely manner to assist decision-making;
• To participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care and to be aware of your status;
• To refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of this refusal;
• To formulate advance directives and appoint a surrogate to make healthcare decisions as permitted by law;
• To have freedom from restraints of any form or seclusion unless clinically necessary to prevent injury to self or others;
• To be informed of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate, and to receive, upon discharge, information and guidance concerning healthcare requirements;
• To be informed of and to give or withhold consent to any human experimentation or other research / educational projects affecting your care or treatment;
• To access the hospital ethics committee if you have ethical issues concerning your care;
• To be informed of the right and given the means to file a complaint or grievance, request to have care reviewed, or notify regulatory and certifying agencies by contacting the Patient & Family Representative at (765) 456- 5380, by contacting the Indiana State Department of Health at (800) 246-8909 or by contacting The Joint Commission at 1-800-994-6610 or   e-mailing at complaint@jointcommission.org;
• To know the disposition of such complaints and to voice grievances without fear of discrimination or reprisal.

Privacy and Safety

• To have confidentiality ensured regarding personal business or information concerning your medical care, including your medical record;
• To have personal privacy protected under HIPAA Privacy regulations;
• To be cared for in a safe setting, and one free from all forms of abuse or harassment;
• To review the information contained in your medical record; and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary;
• To be informed of available protective services if needed.