Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

As a patient, or patient’s representative, or the patient’s surrogate you have the right to:

 

• courteous, considerate and respectful care. Each patient has a right to have his or her cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected.
• obtain from his physician complete and current information concerning his diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand
• receive from his physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of the procedure and/or treatment
• participate in decisions involving his/her care except when contraindicated for health reasons and to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of his action.
• every consideration of his privacy concerning his own medical care program.
• expect that communications and records pertaining to his care should be treated as confidential.
• expect that within its capacity an ASC must make reasonable response to the request of a patient for services.
• obtain information as to any relationship of this facility to other health care and educational institutions, in so far as his care is concerned, The patient has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are treating him.
• be advised when the facility proposes to engage in or perform experimental research affecting his care or treatment, and refuse to participate in such research projects.
• receive language interpreting and translation services as needed
• expect reasonable continuity of care and to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available and when.
• facility payment plans and to examine and receive an explanation of his bill regardless of the source of payment.
• know what facility rules and regulations apply to his conduct as a patient, e.g., the patient is responsible for providing information about his/her health, including past illnesses, hospitalizations and medication and to ask questions to seek clarification of things not understood and for advising the physician if the decision is made to stop the treatment plan.
• receive services without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, and national origin, and physical handicap, source of payment or sponsor.
• be informed of the support services available at the center, the organization respects the right and need of patients for effective communication.
• be informed of “off hour” emergency coverage.
• be informed of the charges for service eligibility for third-party reimbursements and, when applicable, the availability of free or reduced cost of care.
• who is Medicare eligible, has the right to know, upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate.
• an itemized copy of his/her account statement upon request.
• voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the center’s staff the operator and the governing state agency without fear of reprisal.
• express complaints about the care and services provided and to have the center investigate such complaints.
• review his/her record and to approve or refuse the release or disclosure of the contents of his/her medical record to any health care practitioner and/or health care facility except as required by law or third – party payment contract.
• expect that marketing and/or advertising conducted by the facility is not misleading
• have an advance directive, such as a Living Will or health care proxy.
• be free from mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• expect that the staff will provide adequate assessment of and intervention for relief of pain.

 

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, or patient’s representative, or the patient’s surrogate you have the responsibility for:

 

• providing information about past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to their health and to answer all questions concerning these matters to the best of their ability.
• being considerate of other patients and to see that family members are also considerate, especially in regards to smoking, noise, cell phones and visitation policy.
• being respectful of others, their property, and the property of the facility and its personnel.
• promptly arranging for the payment of bills and for providing necessary information for insurance processing
• keeping all appointments promptly at their scheduled time or contact the staff as early as possible if a scheduled appointment cannot be kept.
• following instructions and the health care plan recommended by the health care provider and for asking questions if information is not understood.
• informing staff of physical changes experienced during treatment.
• upon discharge by staff to maintain follow-up treatment recommended.
• asking for pain relief when the pain first begins and for providing help in assessing such, as well as notification if the pain is not relieved as expected
• inquiring as to expectations, regarding pain and pain management as well as discussions regarding relief options and concerns regarding pain medication.
• arranging for a responsible adult to be with you for transportation and home care.

 

Advance Directive Notification

 
However, unlike in an acute care hospital setting, Clearwater Endoscopy Center does not routinely perform “high risk” procedures. Most procedures performed in this facility are considered to be of minimal risk. Of course, no surgery is without risk. You will discuss the specifics of your procedure with your physician who can answer your questions as to its risks, your expected recovery and care after surgery.

Therefore, it is our policy, regardless of the contents of any Advance Directive or instructions from a health care surrogate or attorney in fact, that if an adverse event occurs during your treatment at this facility, we will initiate resuscitative or other stabilizing measures and transfer you to an acute care hospital, further treatments or withdrawal of treatment measures already begun will be in accordance with your wishes, Advance Directive, or Health Care Power of Attorney. Your agreement with this facility’s policy will not revoke or invalidate any current health care directive or health care power of attorney. If you wish to complete an Advance Directive, copies of the official state forms are available at our facility or you may obtain a copy via the website:

http://ahca.myflorida.com/mchq/health_facility_regulation/HC_Advance_Directives/index/shtml

If you do not agree with this facility’s policy, we will be pleased to assist you in rescheduling your procedure. If a patient is adjudged incompetent under the state laws, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed and/or the legal representative designated by the patient under Florida law to act on the patient’s behalf. The center will accept a Court Appointed Guardian, Dual Power of Attorney or a Health Care Surrogate.
 

Patient Complaint or Grievance:

 
If you have a problem or complaint, please speak to the surgery center’s receptionist or your caregiver. We will address your concern(s) promptly. If necessary, your problem or complaint will be advanced to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing for resolution. You will receive a letter or phone call to inform you of the actions taken to address your complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response of facility, you may contact:

Patient complaints or grievances may be filed through the State of Florida Consumer Services Unit at 1-888-419-3456 or write to the addresses below:
 

 
You may also contact the Joint Commission Accredited Health Care Organization by calling 1-800-994-6610 or emailing [email protected].
 
All Medicare beneficiaries may also file a complaint or grievance with the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman. Visit the Ombudsman’s webpage on the web at: http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html
 

Disclosure of Ownership

 
The Clearwater Endoscopy Center is owned by the physician members of Clearwater Surgical Centers Limited. These physicians have become owners as a result of their commitment to quality healthcare and services to their patients.

The Clearwater Endoscopy Center may have a financial relationship with your physician as stated above. A schedule of typical fees for services is provided by the Center at your request. As a patient, or patient’s representative, or the patient’s surrogate” you have the right to choose where to receive services; including an entity in which your physician may have a financial relationship.