Patient Rights

This health center was created to serve the needs of your community.  We want you to be an active part of your treatment here.

• We want you to know what you can expect from us.  We want you to be informed about our policies regarding confidentiality, treatment of minors, and other ethical issues.  There are some situations, however, when the law itself determines what we must do.

• We want you to know your rights as a patient of this center and to exercise them.  A patient who participates in his or her healthcare helps to create better patient outcomes.

• You have a right to a reasonable response to your requests for treatment within the scope of the health center’s mission, capacity, and regulations.

• You have a right to considerate and respectful care.

• You have a right to confidential treatment.  You also have the right to approve or disapprove the release of any disclosures or records, except when release is required by law.

• You have the right to information about your diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis.  This information will help you to make informed decisions regarding your care.

• You have the right to prompt and effective pain management and to be informed by staff about available measures.

• You have the right to access any information contained in your medical record.

• You have the right and responsibility to participate in the decisions about the intensity and scope of your treatment, within limits of the health center’s mission and applicable laws.

• You have the right to care which takes into consideration your psychosocial, spiritual and cultural values.

• You have the right to accept medical care, or to refuse treatment, to the extent permitted by law.  You also have the right to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing treatment.

• You have the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in your care.

• Your guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person can exercise your rights for you if you have been medically or legally determined to be unable to participate yourself.

• You have the right to be informed of any research or experimentation which could affect your care.  You may then decide whether or not you want to participate in it.

• You have the right to be made aware of advanced directives and to know how this organization will respond to such advance directives.