Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Your rights as a hospital patient

When you become a patient at Blount Memorial Hospital, you also become a  partner in your care. As a partner, it is important that you stay well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals. And as your partner, we will respect your personal preferences and values. While you are a patient at the hospital, you have the right to:

• considerate and respectful care
• be well-informed about and participate in decisions regarding your care, including appropriate assessment and management of pain
• know the name and roles of people treating you
• consent to or refuse treatment, and to give informed consent
• have an advance directive such as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care
• security, personal privacy and confidentiality of information
• expect that treatment records are confidential, unless you give permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law
• expect reasonable access to care
• know if the hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care
• consent to or decline to take part in research affecting your care
• be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate
• be involved in resolving dilemmas about care decisions

Your responsibilities as a hospital patient

As a patient, you also have responsibilities regarding your health when you are in the hospital and after you are discharged. You are responsible for:

• providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use of medicine
• being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital
• asking questions and requesting explanations when you do not understand information or instructions
• providing information for insurance and working with the hospital to arrange payment when needed
• recognizing the effect of lifestyle on your health
• telling your doctor if you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment