Pediatric Patient Rights
Patient Rights:
1. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect; as an individual who has personal needs, feelings, preferences and requirements.
2. You have the right to privacy in your treatment and personal needs. You have the right to a safe and secure environment.
3. You have the right to be fully informed of all services available to you and of any charges and financial arrangements available for such services.
4. You have the right to be fully informed of your rights as a patient and of all rules and regulations governing your conduct as a patient in this facility.
5. You have the right to obtain from your physician complete current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms you can understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information, the information should be made available to the appropriate person on your behalf. You have the right to know the names of physicians responsible for coordinating your care, and the specialty of the physician responsible for care, and the function of any individual providing services.
6. You have the right and the responsibility to participate in the development of your treatment plan.
7. You have the right to receive from your physician any further information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information of informed consent should include but not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure and/or treatment. If medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when you request information concerning medical alternatives, you have the right to such information. You also have the right to know the names of the persons responsible for the procedures and/or treatment concerning your care.
8. You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by the law and be informed of the consequences of this right. You have the right to access protective services.
9. You have the right to continuity of care. You will not be discharged or transferred except for medical reasons. If it becomes medically necessary for you to be transferred to another facility, you will be given reasonable advance notice concerning the need for and an alternative for such transfer. The institution to which you may be transferred will have first accepted you.
10. You have the right to voice opinions, conflicts, recommendations and grievances in relation to policies and services offered by this facility without fear of restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal. These issues may be addressed to your physician, the administrator, nursing services, your patient representative, or you may contact your local Department of Public Health.
11. You have the right to be free from physical, chemical and mental abuse. Physical and chemical restraints may only be applied when ordered by your physician in writing and for a specific limited period, except when necessary to protect you from personal injury to yourself and others.
12. You have the right to confidential treatment of your personal and medical records. Information from these sources will not be released without prior consent, except in your transfer to another healthcare facility, or as required by law, or under third party payment contracts.
13. You have the right to be advised of and to refuse to participate in any medical experimentation or research. You have the right to information regarding organ donation.
14. You have the right to the same level of care as other patients with the same health problems.
15. You have the right to pain control.
16. You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
17. You have the right and responsibility to talk to your physician or nurses as soon as pain begins.
18. You have the right and responsibility not to let fears keep you in pain.
19. You have the right and responsibility to communicate your pain.
20. You have a right to be involved in all aspects of your care.
21. You have a right to receive a written statement of your rights.
Patient Responsibilities:
1. Providing Information: You are responsible for providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health. You are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in your condition. You may help the Hospital improve its understanding of your environment by providing feedback about service needs and expectations.
2. Asking Questions: You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand what you have been told about your care or what you are expected to do.
3. Following Instructions: You are responsible for following the care, service, or treatment plan developed. You should express any concerns you have about your ability to follow and comply with the proposed care plan or course of treatment. Every effort is made to adapt the plan to your specific needs and limitations. When such adaptations to the treatment plan are not recommended, you are responsible for understanding the consequences of the treatment alternatives and not following the proposed course.
4. Accepting Consequences: You are responsible for the outcomes if you do not follow the care, service, or treatment plan.
5. Following Rules and Regulations: You are responsible for following the hospital’s rules and regulations concerning patient care and conduct.
6. Showing Respect and Consideration: You are responsible for being considerate of the hospital’s personnel and property.
7. Meeting Financial Commitments: You are responsible for promptly meeting any financial obligation agreed to with the hospital.
Philosophy & Objectives:
The hallmark of our hospital’s philosophy is the conviction that all employees share a common objective of providing quality service to the many different customers that make up our business. This can only be accomplished through a team approach that embodies a spirit of cooperation with a central focus on the needs of those we serve.
Also important to our philosophy is the understanding that our hospital is an integral part of the community we serve. The hospital draws from, and contributes to, the resources of our community and seeks to enhance the community resources whenever possible.
Parkway Medical Center is sensitive to its patients, physicians, employees and visitors.
Because of these convictions, we are committed to several primary principles:
• Quality
• Integrity
• Service
• Team Work
• Mutual Respect
The achievement of these fundamental principles is dependent upon the establishment of goals and the daily operation of the hospital within a set of basic principles and values. We will constantly seek to operate our hospital in a manner which enhances its reputation:
To provide superior health care services to our patients, physicians, and community by continuously improving the safety and quality of care delivered.
Questions, Concerns, or Complaints:
If you or a member of your family need information or wish to discuss concerns, please speak with your nurse. Your nurse can have a Nursing Supervisor assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If they are unable to provide you with the needed information, they will help you reach the appropriate party.
You have the right to express your concerns about patient care safety to hospital personnel and/or management. If you or a member of your family has a problem or complaint, we ask that you speak with our Administrative Assistant, Nursing Supervisor, the Chief Nursing Officer, or the Chief Executive Officer. It is our sincere desire to provide you with the best health care available. If your concerns and questions can not be resolved at this level, contact The Joint Commission at (800) 994-6610, by fax at (630) 792-5636, by e-mail at complaint@jointcommission.org, or by mail at:
Office of Quality Monitoring
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
If you have an ethical concern, such as end of life decisions, and you desire information or assistance, we have in place an Ethics Committee to assist you. Again, notify your nurse or physician and they will assist you in speaking with the appropriate person(s).
If you have questions about your hospital bill or insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Business Office at (256) 301-3433.
If you have a question about your physician’s services, contact the particular physician. Physicians bill separately from the hospital for their services; they are independent providers and not employees of the hospital.
The public may also contact any of the following external agencies to report quality of care and/or safety issues.
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services - CMS
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD, 21244-1850
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – DHHS
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville MD, 20857
Pediatric Patient Rights
Speak Up! Speak Up! Help Prevent Errors in Your Care
Everyone has a role in making healthcare safe - physicians, healthcare executives, nurses and technicians. Health care organizations across the country are working to make health care safety a priority. You, as the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team. Research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It' your body and you have a right to know.
• Your health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don't understand something that your doctor, nurse or other health care professional tells you.
• Don't be afraid to ask about safety. If you are having surgery, for example, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be operated upon, so that there's no confusion in the operating room.
• Don't be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication.
• Don't hesitate to tell the health care professional if you think he or she has confused you with another patient.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
• Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn't seem quite right.
• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges. A new mother, for example, should know the person to whom she is handing her baby. If you are unsure, ask.
• Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don't be afraid to gently remind a doctor or nurse to do this.
• Know what time of day you normally receive a medication. If it doesn't happen, bring this to the attention of your nurse or doctor.
• Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, that is, checks your wristband or asks your name, before he or she administers any medication or treatment.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
• Ask your doctor about the specialized training and experience that qualifies him or her to treat your illness (and be sure to ask the same questions of those physicians to whom he or she refers you).
• Gather information about your condition. Good sources include your doctor, your library, respected web sites and support groups.
• Write down important facts your doctor tells you, so that you can look for additional information later. And ask your doctor if he or she has any written information you can keep.
• Thoroughly read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don't understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them.
• Make sure you are familiar with the operation of any equipment that is being used in your care. If you will be using oxygen at home, do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke near you while oxygen is in use.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
• Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think of while you are under stress.
• Ask this person to stay with you, even overnight, when you are hospitalized. You will be able to rest more comfortably and your advocate can help to make sure you get the right medications and treatments.
• Your advocate can also help remember answers to questions you have asked, and speak up for you if you cannot.
• Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning resuscitation and life support.
• Review consents for treatment with your advocate before you sign them and make sure you both understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
• Make sure your advocate understands the type of care you will need when you get home. Your advocate should know what to look for if your condition is getting worse and whom to call for help.
Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
• Ask about the purpose of the medication and ask for written information about it including its brand and generic names. Also inquire about the side effects of the medication.
• If you do not recognize a medication, verify that it is for you. Ask about oral medications before swallowing, and read the contents of bags of intravenous (IV) fluids. IF you are not well enough to do this, ask your advocate to do this.
• If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to "run out". Tell the nurse if it does not seem to be dripping properly (that it is too fast or too slow).
• Whenever you are going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about allergies you have, or negative reactions you have had to medications in the past.
• If you are taking multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medications together. This holds true for vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs, too.
• Make sure you can read the handwriting on any prescriptions written by your doctor. If you can't read it, the pharmacist may not be able to either.
Use a hospital or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established, state-of-the-art evaluation against established, state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by JCAHO. (Parkway Medical Center is a JCAHO-accredited facility.)
• Ask about the health care organization's experience in treating your type of illness. How frequently do they perform the procedure you need and what specialized care do they provide in helping patients get well.
• If you have more than one hospital or other facility to choose from, ask your doctor which one offers the best care for your condition.
• Before you leave the hospital or other facility, ask about follow-up care and make sure that you understand all of the instructions.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
• You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your care.
• Know who will be taking care of you, how long the treatment will last, and how you should feel.
• Understand that more tests or medications may not always be better. Ask your doctor what a new test or medication is likely to achieve.
• Keep copies of your medical records from previous hospitalizations and share them with your health care team. This will give them a more complete picture of your health history.
• Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion. If you are unsure about the nature of your illness and the best treatment, consult with one or two additional specialists. The more information you have about the options available to you, the more confident you will be with the decisions made.
• Ask to speak with others who have undergone the procedure you are considering. These individuals can help you prepare for the days and weeks ahead. They also can tell you what to expect and what worked best for them as they recovered.