Respect and Dignity
Patients have the right to appropriate medical care and services that respect
their personal values and beliefs, and to be treated with dignity at all times.
Respect for dignity includes the patients' right to be free from all forms of abuse
or harassment.
Privacy
Patient privacy is a consideration in facility designs, in all communication
with or about patients, and in information system implementation.
Confidentiality
Patient records, care discussion, consultation, examination and treatment
are confidential and conducted with discretion. Patient participation in training
or research is voluntary and is treated with the same confidentiality as patient
care.
Patient Communication
Patients have the right to have their own physician, family member or other
representative of their choice be notified promptly of their admission to the hospital.
Each patient and family has the right to receive complete explanations regarding
procedures and treatment in a language or manner that they can understand. Patients
and families also have the right to know the name and professional status of the
people involved in their care and which physician has primary responsibility for
their care.
Additionally, patients have the right to receive or refuse visitors, mail and telephone
calls during their stay at The Nebraska Medical Center as allowed by their medical
condition and treatment. The Nebraska Medical Center will support restriction of
a patient's access to phone calls, mail, visitors, and other forms of communication
ONLY when deemed necessary by the physician, patient, or family as a component of
the patient's care.
Patient Education
Patients and their families are provided with appropriate education and
training to enhance knowledge of the patient's illness and treatment needs, and
to learn and demonstrate skills and behaviors that promote wellness or improve function.
Equal Consideration
Available and medically appropriate patient care and treatment services
are offered to patients solely on the basis of medical condition, without differentiation
or consideration of race, age, gender, disability, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, or ability to pay. (See policy Admission/Registration.)
Safety
Patients have the right to expect reasonable safety and accessibility in
the physical environment of the hospital. Compliance with ADA and other applicable
laws and regulations help assure a safe and accessible environment. Patients have
the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.
Participation
Patients have the right to ask questions and be involved in decisions about
their medical condition and treatment. Patients and, when appropriate, their families
have the right to be informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated
outcomes.
Patients have the right to access information contained in their clinical records
within a reasonable time frame. Patients have the right to participate in the consideration
of ethical issues arising in the provision of their care, including resolution of
conflict, withholding resuscitative measures, foregoing or withdrawing life-sustaining
treatment, maintaining comfort and pain relief, and participation in investigative
studies and/or clinical trails.
Patients have the right to designate a representative decision-maker (Advance Directive/Durable
Power of Attorney) in the event that they become incapable of understanding a proposed
treatment or procedure or are unable to communicate their wishes regarding care.
Pain Management
Patients have a right to pain assessment and management. The Nebraska Medical
Center healthcare providers will ensure this right by discussing pain assessment
and management with all patients and/or surrogate decision makers upon admission,
and throughout the hospital stay. Healthcare providers will work with the patients
and with each other to establish patient-centered goals for pain relief, including
the development, implementation, evaluation, and modification of a pain management
plan.
Consent
Patients shall be reasonably informed by their physician so that they can
participate in decisions involving their healthcare. To the degree possible, the
following will be provided: clear, concise explanations of the patient's condition;
procedure or treatment recommended; the anticipated benefits, the inherent risks
and discomforts; reasonable alternatives; and who will treat them or perform the
procedure. Patients shall not be subject to any procedure without voluntary, competent
consent or the consent of their legally authorized representative. Patients shall
be informed of and consent to all human experimentation or other research/educational
projects affecting their care or treatment. Patients shall have the right to refuse
any treatment. Patients shall have the right to see a different physician or specialist
for consultation.
Many children, particularly mature minors (age 14+), have the cognitive ability
to participate in healthcare decisions and provide informed consent. Children with
decision-making capacity, regardless of age, should be involved in their healthcare
decisions. Their verbal, and in some cases written, assent for procedures and treatments
should be sought.
Refusal of Treatment
Patients may refuse recommended procedures or treatments to the extent
permitted by law. Patients also have the right to know how this refusal may affect
their medical condition. Treatment refusal may constitute termination of the patient/provider
relationship upon reasonable notice.
Protective Services
Patients have the right to contact Protective Services. The hospital will
assist in determining the patient's need for special services through the Social
Work Department.
Transfer and Continuum of Care
To ensure the continuity of care, appropriate patient information is communicated
to any healthcare organization or provider to/from which patients are admitted,
referred, transferred, or discharged. Relevant patient information includes, but
is not limited to: the reason for transfer or discharge, the patient's physical
and psychosocial status at time of transfer, a summary of care and/or service provided,
progress toward achieving goals, and instruction or referrals provided to the patient.
Patients may not be transferred to another facility or organization unless they
have been given an explanation of the need for the transfer and available alternatives.
Hospital Rules and Regulations
Patients shall have the right to be informed of hospital rules and regulations as
they apply to them. (Patient Handbooks are available in patient rooms or a copy
will be given upon request).
Parent/Guardian Rights
Parents or guardians of hospitalized children at The Nebraska Medical Center have
the right to visit their children or call the patient care unit at any time. They
have the right to receive information needed to give informed consent for their
children's medical treatment. Additionally, they have the right to refuse treatment
for their children to the extent permitted by law, and the right to know how this
refusal may affect their children's medical condition.
Grievance Process
Patients and their representatives have the right to share concerns or complaints
regarding their care, facilities and/or personal interactions with the staff. When
a concern or complaint is received relating to the patient rights outlined in this
document, the grievance will be responded to verbally within five days, and in writing
within thirty days, by the most appropriate individual.
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