Bill of Rights
Great Plains Regional Medical Center and Medical Staff have adopted the following statement of patient rights. This list shall include but not be limited to the rights of a patient to:
- Become informed of their rights as a patient in advance of, or when discontinuing the provision of care. The patient may appoint a representative to receive this information should they so desire.
- Exercise these rights without regard to sex or cultural, economic, educational or religious background, or the source of payment for care.
- Considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment and/or exploitation.
- Access protective and advocacy services, or have these services accessed on the patient’s behalf.
- Appropriate assessment and management of pain.
- Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
- Knowledge of the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating their care, and the names and professional relationships of other physicians and healthcare providers who will see them.
- Receive information from their physician about their illness, course of treatment, outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), and their prospects for recovery in terms that they can understand.
- Receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as you may need in order to give informed consent, or to refuse the course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in the treatment, alternate course of treatment or non-treatment, the risks involved in each, and to know the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment.
- Participate in the development and implementation of their plan of care and actively participate in decisions regarding their medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to request and/or refuse treatment.
- Formulate advance directives regarding their healthcare, and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives (to the extent provided by state laws and regulations).
- Have a family member or representative of their choice notified promptly of their admission to the hospital.
- Have their personal physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital.
- Full consideration of privacy concerning their medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discretely. A patient has the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual involved in their healthcare.
- Confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to their care and to their stay in the hospital. A patients written permission will be obtained before the medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with their care.
- Receive information in a manner that they understand. Communications with a patient will be effective and provided in a manner that facilitates their understanding. Written information provided will be appropriate to the age, understanding and, as appropriate, the language of the patient. As appropriate, communications specific to the vision, speech, hearing-cognitive and language-impaired patient will be appropriate to the impairment.
- Access information contained in their medical record within a reasonable timeframe (usually within 48 hours of request).
- Reasonable responses to any reasonable request they may make for service.
- Leave the hospital, even against the advice of their physician, as permitted by law.
- Reasonable continuity of care.
- Be advised that the hospital receives, reviews, and when possible, resolves complaints from patients and their families. Patients have the right to file a complaint.
- Be advised that should the hospital/personal physician propose to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting their care or treatment, that they have the right to refuse participation. Refusal to participate, or discontinuation of participation, will not compromise the patient’s right to access care, treatment or services.
- Full support and respect of all patient rights should they choose to participate in research, investigation and/or clinical trials. This includes the patient’s right to a fully-informed consent process as it relates to the research, investigation and/or clinical trial. All information provided to them will be contained in their medical record or research file along with the consent form(s).
- Be informed by their physician, or a delegate of their physician, of the continuing healthcare requirements following their discharge from the hospital.
- Examine and receive an explanation of the hospital bill regardless of source of payment.
- Know which hospital rules and policies apply to their conduct while a patient.
- Have all their patient rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on behalf of the patient.
- Know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence their treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other healthcare providers, or insurers.
- To expect that the hospital will give them necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, they will be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives. They will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept them.
