Patient Rights and Responsibilities

On behalf of the patients of Wood County Hospital and their families, we have established the following as Rights and Responsibilities of the Patient. The hospital presents these Rights and Responsibilities with the expectation that they will contribute to the well being, safety, and healing process of the patient.

1. The patient has the right to considerate and respectful and compassionate care, regardless of age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. 
2. The patient has the right to ask and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. It is recognized that patient involvement enhances the safety of healthcare delivery.
3. The patient has the right to make decisions about the plan of care prior and during the course of treatment and to refuse a recommended treatment plan or care to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy and to be informed of the medical consequences of the action.
4. The patient has the right to have an Advance Directive concerning treatment or designate a surrogate decision maker recognizing that the hospital will honor the intent of that directive to the extent permitted by the law and hospital policy.
5. The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy. Case discussion, examination and treatment should be conducted so as to protect each patient’s privacy.
6. The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his or her care will be treated as confidential by the hospital, except in cases such as suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by the law.
7. The patient has the right to review records pertaining to his or her medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, expect when restricted by the law.
8. The patient has the right to expect that, within its capabilities and policies, the hospital will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for appropriate and medically indicated care services.
9. The patient has the right to ask and be informed of the existence of business relationships among the hospital, education institutions, other health care providers or payors that may influence the patient’s treatment and care.
10. The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed by physicians and other caregivers of available and realistic patient care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
11. The patient has the right to be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, and responsibilities.
12. The patient has the right to healthcare that addresses psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural values that affect the individual.
13. The patient has the right to a safe environment.
14. The patient has the right to receive information about pain and pain relief measures. The patient also has the right to be involved in decisions about the treatment of his or her pain. 
15. The patient has a right to protective services, whereby evidence of neglect, abuse, exploitation or hazardous living conditions are reported and investigated by the proper agency.
16. The patient has the right to have a family member or person of his or her choice and the patient's own physician notified promptly upon admission to the hospital.
17. The patient has the right to be free from restraints and seclusion in any form which are not medically necessary or which are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
18. The patient has the right, without recrimination, to voice complaints regarding his or her care and to have those complaints reviewed. The patient also has the right to prompt resolution of complaints and/or grievances from either the patient or his or her representative, without coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or unreasonable interruption of care, treatment, and services. If patients or their representatives have a complaint, they are encouraged to first address the concern with a physician, nurse manager, department manager, or a member of hospital administration. Patients and their representatives also have the right to voice their concerns to organizations other than Wood County Hospital, including: Ohio Department of Health- (800) 342-0552; or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- (800) 589-7337; or The Joint Commission- (800) 994-6610.
19. The patient has the right to have a person remain with him or her for emotional support during the hospital stay, unless the visitor's presence will compromise patient rights, safety, or health. The patient also has the right to deny visitation at any time. Visitation will not be restricted, limited, or otherwise denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient at Wood County Hospital, you also have responsibilities as a member of your healthcare team. Your responsibilities include:

1. You, the patient or appropriate party must provide proper identification and thorough, accurate information about past, present and developing health conditions.
2. Tell the hospital representatives whether you clearly understand the course of treatment and what is expected of you.
3. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your physician, or be accountable for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions.
4. Follow hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and treatment.
5. Be considerate and respectful of the property and rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
6. Assure the prompt fulfillment of financial responsibilities related to your health care.

Advance Directives

Advance Directives are instructions (Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, or Do Not Resuscitate) stating your health care wishes as a patient in the event that you are unable to state them for yourself. Wood County Hospital can provide you with information about stating your right to make health care decisions, including your right to accept or reject medical care. If you have an Advance Directive, it is your responsibility to bring the document with you and submit it to the Registration Representative or nurse.

Ethics Committee

Patients and their family have the right to access specialized personnel for advice or counsel regarding ethical decisions. Please direct such concerns to the department manager or hospital administration.

Compliance

Wood County Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care while abiding by all regulations that govern the administration of that care.

The Administration of Wood County Hospital is available to answer your questions and address your concerns. We are here to help you and we encourage you to contact us at (419) 354-8930.