Patient Rights and Responsibilities
As a patient-centered healthcare provider, SouthCoast Health is passionate
about protecting and honoring your rights and responsibilities as a
patient. We live that philosophy in everything we do. As one part of our
commitment, we have adopted the following policy expressing our beliefs
regarding your rights and responsibilities.
Purpose
It shall be the policy of SouthCoast Health to protect patient rights to
the best of our abilities.
Patient Rights
- The patient has the right to receive considerate and respectful care.
- The patient has the right and is encouraged to obtain from physicians
and other healthcare providers relevant, current and understandable
information about his or her healthcare.
- The patient has the right to know the names of their physician,
nurses, and other staff who are involved with their care.
- The patient has the right to know all treatment options and to
participate in decisions about care.
- The patient has the right to talk privately and in confidence with the
healthcare providers and to have their health information protected.
- The patient has the right to review his or her medical records and to
have the information explained or interpreted except where restricted
by law.
- The patient has the right to a fair and timely review of any complaint
against our doctors, staff or other healthcare professional.
Patient Responsibilities
The effectiveness of care and patient satisfaction with the course of
treatment depends, in part, on the patient fulfilling certain
responsibilities.
- The patient is responsible for providing information about past
illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other health-related
matters.
- Patients are responsible for providing necessary information for
insurance claims and for working with the staff at SouthCoast Health as
needed to make payment arrangements.
- Patients are responsible to provide updated information regarding
name, address, and phone number changes.
- Patients are asked to recognize that their healthcare depends on the
healthcare services they receive and the impact of their lifestyles and
habits.
- Patients are responsible to keep appointments scheduled with their
physician and other ancillary care providers to cancel with 24 hours
notice if they are unable to keep their appointment.
- Patients are expected to inform their physician if they are not
compliant with the treatment plan or their doctor's treatment
recommendations.
- Patients are expected to be compliant with the course of treatment
recommended by their physician including but not limited to
medications, referrals and follow up appointments.
- Patients must take responsibility for requesting additional
information or clarification about their health, treatment or
instructions.