Patient Rights

Revised 4/20/2020

Patient Rights - English

Patient Rights - Spanish

You have the right to...

NONDISCRIMINATION

  • Access to healthcare will not be denied because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
  • The organization will recognize all state-sanctioned (permissible) marriage and spouses.

ACCESS TO CARE

  • Healthcare no matter what your background or language.
  • Appropriate medical screening and stabilizing treatment regardless of the source of your payment for care.
  • Care without notice to anyone about your immigration status. Immigrant families are welcome to receive services that they are eligible for without fear of being reported.

RESPECT AND SAFETY

  • Respectful care in a safe place which is free from abuse, neglect, or harassment.
  • Be free from restraint or seclusion that is not medically needed.

PRIVACY/CONFIDENTIALITY

  • Confidentiality surrounding admission and treatment. Your stay and medical records will not be shared without your permission.
  • Personal privacy when you are examined. If you would like an attendant present during any exams, please ask the staff.

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

  • Say what your wishes for medical treatment would be if you are unable to communicate them. These advance choices can be in a living will, a power of attorney for healthcare, or another witnessed statement.

PARTICIPATION

  • Be involved in your plan of care. You will be given information about the risks, benefits, and choices of any proposed treatments and alternatives available. You may also refuse medical treatment.
  • Include family or other important persons in decisions about your plan of care and treatments.
  • Understand what is going on and being talked about in a way you can understand. Free interpreters are available if needed.
  • Have your physician, family member, or person of your choice promptly notified of your admission.
  • Get your medical records promptly when requested.
  • Be involved in your pain management.
  • Request a discharge planning evaluation and be involved in
  • your discharge plan.

VISITATION

  • Decide who is allowed to visit including your spouse, a domestic partner, family member, friend, or another person of your choosing.
  • All visitors will enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences.
  • Restriction or limitations to visitation may be initiated when the organization has justified clinical reasons to do so.

COMPLAINTS

  • File a written or verbal complaint. You can call our complaint office through the switchboard at (920) 433-3500.

MEDICARE BENEFICIARY NOTICE

  • Receive a notice for non-coverage and right to appeal perceived premature discharge.
  • Receive a notice that you are an outpatient receiving observation services and are not an inpatient of the hospital.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Help us to help you by:

  • Telling us about your past illnesses, hospital stays and treatments, current drugs, and the reason why you are here.
  • Asking us questions if you do not understand your treatment plan.
  • Respecting others' rights.
  • Following the treatment plan you and your doctors, nurses, and healthcare team have agreed upon.
  • Asking us if our plan seems different from the care you have received before or you don't understand it.
  • Keeping appointments that have been made for you and telling us when you can't make them.
  • Informing us promptly if you experience any unexpected results.
  • Telling us if you are unhappy with any part of your care at Bellin.