Information about Your Rights
At Sacred Heart Hospital, we want you to know and understand
your rights and responsibilities as a patient. You have the right to make
informed choices about your healthcare. We respect each patient and are committed
to meeting your needs.
Communication
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Be
informed about the care you will receive in a way you understand. This
includes translation and
translation services free of charge, or help if you have visual, hearing,
speech or learning difficulties.
- Know
that all information and records regarding your care a confidential and
can only be released to you or a legally authorized representative, except
in cases where reporting is permitted or required by law.
Courteous Treatment
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Receive
treatment with courtesy and respect in a safe and secure environment free
from abuse or neglect. You have the right to safe care, including the
right to privacy.
Appropriate Health
Care
Sacred Heart Hospital treats all patients with our Core
Values of Care, Competence, Joy and Respect. We respect the individual, body,
mind and spirit.
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Receive
care no matter what race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, newborn status,
handicap or source of payment.
Members of your
Health Care Team
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Know
the names of your caregivers.
Information about
Treatment
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Receive
information about your care including diagnosis, treatment and outcomes,
including outcomes that were not expected, in terms you can understand.
- Review
your medical record related to your care and have it explained to you. Make decisions
about your care, including refusing care to the extent as permitted by
law.
- Be
informed about any proposed procedures or treatments. You may be asked to
sign an informed consent before the start of a procedure.
- Ask
questions and be listened to.
- Have
your pain evaluated and managed.
- Get an
up-to-date list of current medications.
- Know
you will be free from seclusion or restraint unless you could harm
yourself or others.
- Complete
an Advanced Directive for HealthCare, which are legal papers outlining
your wishes for your care if you are unable to speak for yourself or choose
someone to act on your behalf and protect your patient rights. Your wishes
will be honored to the extent of the law and Hospital Policy.
- Consent
or refuse to take part in research or experimental trials for your
condition as discussed with your physician.
- Access
protective services including services for drug and alcohol abuse, mental
illness, developmental disabilities. (WI. Statute Sec. 51.61)
- Transfer
care to another facility if this hospital is unable to provide the care
you need or as you request. You have the right to know why the transfer is
needed. We cannot transfer you unless the other hospital accepts you as a
patient.
Visitation
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Decide
who may visit you during your stay as well as refuse any visitors.
- Choose
a Support Person who may determine who can visit you if you are unable to
indicate visitors. This person does not need to be related to you and
cannot make decisions or consent regarding any treatment.
- The
hospital reserves the right to limit visitors as medically necessary or
for safety reasons.
Hospital Bills
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Request,
review, and get an explanation of your bill no matter what the source of
payment.
- Ask
for information regarding financial assistance.
Complaints
If we have not met
your needs, we ask you to share your concerns regarding treatment, safety or
quality of care.
You or your legally
authorized representative have the right to:
- Share
these concerns at the time of service with your care provider, physician,
Department Director or House Supervisor. We want to resolve issues as soon
as possible.
- If you
continue to have unresolved complaints or concerns, you may file a
grievance with an outside agency by contacting:
Wisconsin Division of Quality
Assurance at (608) 266-8481, P.O. Box 2969, Madison, WI, 53701-2969 or The
Joint Commission, (800) 994-6610 or email at
complaint@jointcommission.org.
