Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Your Rights and Responsibilities

At Scott & White Hospital - Brenham, we respect your rights as a patient and recognize that you are an individual with unique health care needs. We want you to know what your rights are as a patient, as well as what your obligations are to yourself, to your physician, to other patients, and to Scott & White Hospital - Brenham.

We encourage a partnership between you and your health care team at the hospital. Your role as a member of this team is to exercise your rights and to take responsibility by asking for clarification of things you do not understand.

You Have the Right to:

1. Considerate and Respectful Care

We respect your right to:

• expect quality treatment, commitment to your safety and continuity of care.
• be treated with dignity. Your care will not be affected by your race, religion, beliefs, cultural values, sex, age, or financial status.
• ask all personnel involved in your care to introduce themselves, state their role in your care and explain what they are going to do for you.

2. Information About Your Treatment

Your health care team will describe your proposed treatment to you. You can expect the team to explain:

• your condition and proposed treatment,
• benefits and risks of the proposed treatment,
• the alternatives to the proposed treatment and the benefits and risks of each alternative,
• your role in your care,
• the knowledge and skills you will need,
• the prognosis, and
• what to expect during recuperation.

You will be fully informed about the outcome of your care and treatment, including unanticipated outcomes.

3. Participate in Decisions About Your Care

We respect and support your right to:

• agree to treatment with your informed consent, which consists of a full explanation of your disease by your physician, including the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment and any alternative treatment options.
• refuse a diagnostic procedure or treatment.
• appropriate assessment and management of your pain.

Restraints

Our goal is to protect patients and employees' health and safety as well as preserve patient dignity, rights, and well being. Restraints shall be used only when alternative methods are not sufficient to protect patients or others from injury and are not a substitute for less restrictive forms of protective restraints. All patients will have an assessment performed to determine the safety and protective needs of the patient prior to the application of restraints or medical protective device. The use of restraints will be limited to those situations that are clinically appropriate and justifiable.

It is your right to decide whether you wish to be treated and if so, by which method of treatment. If you elect to refuse treatment, you will be informed of the medical consequences of your decision. Scott & White Hospital - Brenham aims for a restraint free environment. It is the responsibility and right of the patient to provide the hospital with the name and contact information of family or legal guardians.

When appropriate, patients and their families are informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.

Healthcare Safety

Healthcare safety is a priority of Scott & White Hospital - Brenham. You, as the patient, and your family play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your healthcare team. The following SPEAKUP initiative provides simple advice on how you, as the patient, can make your care a positive experience.

If you are unable to exercise these rights, Scott & White Hospital - Brenham will extend these same rights to your legally designated representative.

Speak up if you have any questions or concerns, and if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right healthcare professionals. Don't assume anything.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.

Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common healthcare error.

Use a hospital, or other type of healthcare organization that has undergone a rigorous onsite evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The Joint Commission.

Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the healthcare team. In addition, you are encouraged to ask all caregivers to wash their hands before and after providing direct care.

Who is responsible for your medicines?

A lot of people?including you!

• Doctors check all of your medicines to make sure they are OK to take together. They
• will also check your vitamins, herbs, diet supplements or natural remedies.
• Pharmacists will check your new medicines to see if there are other medicines, foods or drinks you should not take with your new medicines. This helps to avoid a bad reaction.
• Nurses and other caregivers may prepare medicines or give them to you.
• You need to give your doctors, pharmacists and other caregivers a list of your medicines. This list should have your prescription medicines over-the-counter medicines (for example, aspirin) vitamins, herbs, diet supplements, natural remedies, amount of alcohol you drink each day or week, recreational drugs.

What should you know about your medicines?

• Make sure you can read the handwriting on the prescription. If you can't read it, the pharmacist may not be able to read it either. You can ask to have the prescription printed.
• Read the label. Make sure it has your name on it and the right medicine name.
• Make sure that you understand all of the instructions for your medicines.
• If you have doubts about a medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or caregiver about it.

What if you forget the instructions for taking a medicine or are not sure about taking it?

Call your doctor or pharmacist. Don't be afraid to ask questions about any of your medicines.

What can you do at the hospital or clinic to help avoid mistakes with your medicines?

• Make sure your doctors, nurses and other caregivers check your wristband and ask your name before giving you medicine. Some patients get a medicine that was supposed to go to another patient.
• Don't be afraid to tell a caregiver if you think you are about to get the wrong medicine.
• Know what time you should get a medicine. If you don't get it then, speak up.
• Tell your caregiver if you don't feel well after taking a medicine. Ask for help immediately if you think you are having a side effect or reaction.
• You may be given IV (intravenous) fluids. Read the bag to find out what is in it. Ask the caregiver how long it should take for the liquid to run out. Tell the caregiver if it's dripping too fast or too slow.
• Get a list of your medicines?including your new ones. Read the list carefully. Make sure it lists everything you are taking. If you're not well enough to do this, ask a friend or relative to help.

Questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist

• How will this new medicine help you?
• Are there other names for this medicine? For example, does it have a brand or generic name?
• Is there any written information about the medicine?
• Can you take this medicine with your allergy? Remind your doctor about your allergies and reactions you have had to medicines.
• Is it safe to take this medicine with your other medicines? Is it safe to take it with your vitamins, herbs and supplements?
• Are there any side effects of the medicine? For example, upset stomach. Who can you call if you have side effects or a bad reaction? Can they be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
• Are there specific instructions for your medicines?
• For example, are there any foods or drinks you should avoid while taking it?
• Can you stop taking the medicine as soon as you feel better? Or do you need to take it until it's gone?
• Do you need to swallow or chew the medicine?
• Can you cut or crush it if you need to?
• Is it safe to drink alcohol with the medicine?

It is your right to exclude any or all family members from participation in your decisions. If you are a minor, your family and/or legal guardian will be involved in all treatment planning decisions for you.

When appropriate, patients and their families are informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.

Medical Power of Attorney and Other Advance Directives

You have the right to complete a Medical Power of Attorney, which allows you to legally designate one or more people to make medical decisions for you if you are temporarily or permanently incapable of making decisions for yourself.

You also have the right to complete a Living Will (Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates). This document allows you to establish instructions concerning your medical care in case you are unable to communicate your wishes at some point in the future.

If you are in the hospital, you or your legally designated representative may request the withholding of resuscitative services or the initiation or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

If you are an outpatient, you or your legally designated representative may also request that your physician prepare an Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate order for you, if appropriate.

If you need information or assistance in completing a Medical Power of Attorney or other advance directive, call the Pastoral Care Department at 979.830.2275.

Ethical Decisions

We understand that you and your family may be faced with making difficult treatment choices while you are here. We respect your right to make an individual decision that is based on your personal beliefs and values as well as on the available medical information.

You or your legally designated representative will be personally involved in the consideration of all ethical issues involving your care. To assist you with the decision-making process, we suggest that you consider the following issues:

• Do you have all the information you need to make a decision about your care?
• In case you are unable to speak for yourself, have you appointed someone to speak on your behalf by executing a Medical Power of Attorney?

Various health care professionals at Scott & White Hospital - Brenham such as social workers, chaplains, nurses and physicians are available to help you with any concerns you may have. For more information, call Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's Pastoral Care Department at 979.830.2275.

Privacy

The staff at Scott & White Hospital - Brenham strives to respect the privacy of all patients. Case discussions, examinations and treatments are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.

In addition, you have the right to:

• close the curtain around your bed or close the door when you want privacy.
• request no visitors.
• request confidential status to protect your identity as a hospitalized patient.
• request a transfer to another room if you are unreasonably disturbed by another patient and/or visitor. Every effort will be made to accommodate you if another equally suitable room is available.

Confidentiality

Patient information is confidential and may not be disclosed to third parties without patient consent except as in accordance with applicable law. You or your legally designated representative may access your medical record.

Pain Management

Effective pain relief is an important part of your care and treatment. The staff at Scott & White Hospital - Brenham is committed to working with you to establish a goal for relief of your pain and to implementing a plan to achieve that goal.

Reasonable Response to Requests and Needs

You have the right to considerate and respectful care. Should you need a service not provided by Scott & White Hospital - Brenham, you have the right to be assisted in transferring to another health care facility that can provide the needed service. You also have the right to examine your hospital bill and to have it explained to you.

How to File Complaints and/or Grievances

You have the right to make complaints and/or grievances regarding the quality of care and/or service you receive Scott & White Hospital - Brenham. If you have a concern regarding any aspect of your care or service, we encourage you to address the concern with the Scott & White Hospital - Brenham staff involved. You may also speak with the manager in charge or a charge nurse or member of Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's Administration.

Scott & White Hospital - Brenham values open communication and the presentation of a complaint and/or grievance will in no way compromise your care.

Once Scott & White Hospital - Brenham has received a complaint and/or grievance, all reasonable efforts will be made to resolve your complaint and/or grievance as soon as possible. You may also lodge a complaint and/or grievance with the Texas Department of State Health Services directly, regardless of whether you have first lodged your complaint and/or grievance at Scott & White Hospital - Brenham. Complaints and/or grievances may be filed with the Texas Department of State Health Services at 1100 West 49th St., Austin, Texas 78756-3199, or by calling the Texas Department of State Health Services Complaint Hotline at 1-888-973-0022.

You Have the Responsibility to:

Provide Complete Medical Information

Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present health status and your complete medical history, including illnesses, hospitalizations, medication, advance directives, and other matters related to your health.

Ask for Clear Explanations

If the explanation of your diagnosis, treatment, or role in your care is not clear, ask questions until you understand.

Make Informed Decisions

Because you are responsible for the decisions you make about your care, we encourage you to gather as much information as you need to make your decisions. Once you and your physician have decided on a treatment plan, be sure to advise your physician if you feel unable to follow the plan. You may be asked to consent in writing to certain tests, procedures, or surgical operations. Ask as many questions as you need to fully understand each document you are asked to sign.

Understand

Understand your role in your care. Know about your health problems. If there is anything you do not understand, ask any member of the health care team to explain it to you.

Report Changes

Tell your physician about any changes in your health.

Accept Financial Obligations

Ensure that your financial obligations are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Respect Others' Privacy

It is important to be considerate of other patients by observing their right to privacy, limiting your visitors if you are in a multi-bed room, and maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Telephones, televisions, radios and lights should be used in a manner agreeable to others. For the privacy of our patients, visitors, physicians and staff, cellular telephones should not be used in any patient care area. You may use them in the cafeteria, waiting areas, lobbies or outside the front of the hospital.

Follow Hospital Rules and Regulations

Patients and families must follow the hospital rules and regulations.