Patient & Visitor Information
Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient
(Aviso De Derechos Y Responsabilidades De Los Pacientes)
Because of our belief in dignity and value of each person, Mercy Medical Center affirms that each patient will receive accessible, respectful, skillful, and compassionate care without discrimination as to race, color, creed, gender, marital status, beliefs, national origin, age, disability, diagnosis or ability to pay.
You have the right:
- To make informed decisions regarding your own health care, and
to be involved in the development of care planning and implementation
of treatment.
- To discuss with your physician (in terms understandable to you), your diagnosis, the treatment prescribed for you, the prognosis of your illness, and any instructions required for follow-up care.
- To receive from your physician, information necessary to give informed consent, and to ask questions, prior to the start of any procedures and/or treatment.
- To request a consultation or second opinion.
- To compassionate, competent and respectful care of body, mind,
and spirit provided in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner
by qualified individuals at all times.
- To receive health care that meets (or exceeds) professional standards.
- To appropriate assessment and management of pain.
- To expect continuity of care.
- To expect reasonable safety in the performance of procedures, and safety in the environment.
- To be free from restraints of any form which are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, or convenience.
- To have consideration that a family member or other representative,
and your family physician be notified promptly when you are
admitted to the medical center.
- To personal privacy and confidentiality of health information.
- To expect to have your personal and physical privacy maintained and to have your property treated with respect.
- To expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated as confidential. (See HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practice.)( Notificación de las Prácticas de Privacidad)
- To privacy concerning discussions and consultations related to your care.
- To access the information contained in your clinical records within a reasonable time frame and to have it explained to you.
- To examine and receive an explanation of your bill.
- To have unrestricted access to communication (visitors, mail, telephone calls or other forms of communication available within the medical center), unless your condition warrants restriction or limitation.
- To accept or refuse visitors.
- To spiritual counseling.
- To confidential spiritual counseling.
- To choose or refuse a visit by clergy or any spiritual care person.
- To request religious observances of your choice.
- To education regarding your condition, its causes and treatment.
- To receive the appropriate information and education necessary
to manage your condition, which enables you to achieve the
healthiest lifestyle possible.
- To receive the appropriate information and education necessary
to manage your condition, which enables you to achieve the
healthiest lifestyle possible.
- To know your rights, exercise your rights, and have access to a
grievance process for unresolved complaints.
- To receive a copy of the Patient Rights and Responsibilities brochure.
- To know what medical center rules and regulations apply to you as a patient.
- To change health care providers, i.e. physicians or hospitals. This change may be based upon your decision regarding a certain course of medical care and treatment that cannot be honored for reasons of legal liability, medical ethics, personal conscience, or other appropriate reason. You will be informed of this fact and your physician will be assisted, where appropriate, in making arrangements for the transfer of your care to another physician and/or health facility.
- To file a grievance with medical center administration if a complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction. You may call or write one of the Vice Presidents of Patient Services, 1000 4th Street SW, Mason City IA 50401, telephone 641-422-7251 or 641-422-6489 (Nancy Halford).
- To file a grievance with the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals, Division of Health Facilities, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319, telephone 515-281-4115.
Recognizing that better outcomes are achieved when a spirit of cooperation exists between yourself and those providing care to you, we, the medical center affirm certain patient responsibilities.
You have the responsibility:
- To participate in your plan of care, and cooperate and follow the
care prescribed or recommended for you by your physician, nurses,
or allied health personnel.
- To accept the consequences for your actions if you refuse treatment
or do not follow the instructions of your caregivers.
- To provide your caregivers with accurate and complete information
about symptoms, complications and side effects, past illnesses, hospitalizations,
medications, and other matters relating to your health care.
- To notify your physician or nurse if you do not understand your
diagnosis, treatment or prognosis.
- To accept the financial obligations associated with your care and
to fulfill these obligations as promptly as possible.
- To know and to follow rules and regulations of the medical center.
- To protect your valuables by sending them home with family members
or having them placed in the medical center safe.
- To inform the medical center personnel of your Advanced Directive
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will) and to
provide the medical center with a copy.
- To sign required consents and releases for care.
- To advise your nurse, physician, or other caregivers of any dissatisfaction
you may have in regard to your care at the medical center.
- To be considerate of the rights of other patients and the medical center personnel and to assist in the control of noise and the number of visitors you receive.
Questions?
If you have questions about your rights and responsibilities when in the medical center, please dial "O" for switchboard and ask for the Nursing Supervisor.
If you have questions about your rights and responsibilities when in a Mercy Clinic, please ask to speak with the Clinic Manager.
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