Rights & Responsibilities

A patient or his/her representative, who is recognized under state law to act on the patient's behalf, must be notified of patient rights before care is received or care is stopped.

RMCHCS assumes the responsibility to assure the basic rights and responsibilities of patients while providing health care. RMCHCS is committed to providing the best care available, to respecting patients' rights and helping them understand their responsibilities as a patient.

As a Patient, you have the right to:
Receive care, treatment and services regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity of expression or source of payment.
Be treated with courtesy and consideration in a way that supports your dignity and is respectful of your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences.
Safety, privacy and confidentiality.
Receive effective communication in a manner that meets your oral and written communication needs.
Receive information in a manner that you understand.
Participate in decisions about your care, treatment and services.
Pain management.
Religious and other spiritual services.
Access, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosures of your health information in accordance with law and regulation.
Refuse care, treatment and services in accordance with law and regulation.
Give or withhold informed consent.
Give or withhold informed consent to produce or use recordings, film or other images for purposes other than your care.
Be treated with respect and in a way that protects your rights during research, investigation and clinical trials.
Be informed of the individuals responsible for your care, as well as those providing your care, treatment or services.
Address, through advance directives, decisions regarding end-of-life care, treatment and services in accordance with law and regulation.
Be free from neglect and exploitation and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse.
An environment that preserves your dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.
Have complaints reviewed by RMCHCS without being subject to coercion, discrimination, reprisal or unreasonable interruption of care.
Contact the State or the Joint Commission directly to voice a complaint.
Timely referral for patient concerns regarding quality of care or premature discharge to the appropriate review committee/authority.
Access protective and advocacy services.
Subject to your consent, to receive the visitors you designate, including but not limited to a spouse, domestic partner (including same-sex domestic partner), another family member or friends, and the right to withdraw or deny such visitors at any time.

As a Patient, you have the responsibility to:

Provide accurate and complete information that will facilitate your care, treatment and services.
Ask questions or acknowledge when you do not understand the treatment course-of-care decision.
Follow instructions, policies, rules and regulations in place to support quality care for patients and a safe environment for all individuals in the hospital.
Support mutual consideration and respect by maintaining civil language and conduct in interaction with staff and licensed independent practitioners.
Assure that your financial obligations for your healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.