Your rights and responsibilities as a patient
You have certain rights and responsibilities as a patient in a Minnesota hospital. These rights and responsibilities help you take an active role in your health care and promote your well-being and recovery.
Your rights
You have a right to:
- receive medical and personal care that is:
- courteous and respectful
- based upon your specific needs
- know the name of the doctor or other health care provider who is responsible for coordinating your care
- have complete and current information about your treatment so you can make informed decisions; this includes:
- knowing the diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, risks and most likely results
- having the information stated in terms and words you understand
- having a family member or other chosen person present when you talk with your health care provider if you wish
- see a copy of your medical records as allowed by law
- be cared for with reasonable regularity and continuity of staff (as allowed by facility policy)
- know what services are available at the facility
- quick and reasonable response to your questions and requests
- join in discussions about your care or treatment; this includes:
- being able to discuss treatments and alternatives
- being able to attend formal care conferences
- having a family member or other chosen person with you if you feel more comfortable that way
- having a family member or other chosen person speak for you if you cannot do so yourself unless you have stated otherwise in writing
- refuse care
- be free from restraints that are not medically necessary and be free from abusive or harassing behavior
- have privacy for medical and personal care; this includes:
- discussions, exams, treatments
- medical records (except where a release of records is authorized by law)
- personal hygiene activities
- have personal privacy with respect to your preferences (such as cultural, social or religious preferences) and for communications with others (such as phone calls or mail)
- have an interpreter provided with no charge
- make a formal grievance and recommend changes in the facility's policies or services without fear of revenge or punishment.
Your responsibilities
You are responsible for:
- showing respect and consideration for the facility staff and property
- providing accurate and complete information about your health and reporting any changes in it
- asking questions when you do not understand what you have been told about the care being offered to you or what you are being asked to do
- following the care or treatment plan developed with you
- reporting any risks you think are related to your care as well as any unexpected changes in your condition
- accepting the consequences if you don't follow the care or treatment plan
- paying for charges related to your care.
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For more information
This is a brief summary of your rights and responsibilities.
If you would like more information:
- ask your health care provider for a copy of the Minnesota Patients' Bill of Rights
- visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Web site to download the Patients' Bill of Rights in English or in other languages
- contact or call the Minnesota Department of Health:
For concerns about your care
Talk with your health care provider if you have any concerns about your care.
You can also talk with one of the hospital's patient representatives.
If you think that your concerns have not been satisfactorily resolved, you may contact the The Joint Commission:
- phone: 1-800-994-6610
- e-mail: complaint@jointcommission.org
- address: Office of Quality Monitoring - The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
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Patient care, safety and satisfaction Patient privacy: We care about your privacy Health care directives Allina Financial Assistance Services
Source: Allina Patient Education, Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient, gen-ahc-32115
First published: 05/01/2006
Last updated: 05/01/2006
Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts
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