Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.

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Williamson Memorial strives to provide comprehensive, quality healthcare in a spirit of personal caring, safety and concern. We believe you are entitled to specific rights. You may be responsible for making important decisions regarding your care.

You have the right to considerate and respectful care.

You have the right to obtain from your physician complete, current information concerning your diagnosis and prognosis in terms that you can reasonably understand. When it’s not medically advisable to provide you with such information, it should be made available to an appropriate person on your behalf.

You have the right to know the name of the physician responsible for coordinating your care.

You have the right to receive from your physician information necessary to provide informed consent before any procedure or treatment is started. Except in emergencies, this information should include the procedure or treatment, the risks involved and the predicted length of incapacitation. Where medically significant alternative measures for care or treatment exist, or when you request information about medical alternatives, you have the right to such information. You also have the right to know the name of the person responsible for these procedures.

You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be advised of the medical consequences of your actions.

You have the right to every consideration of your privacy concerning your medical care. Case consultations, examinations and treatments are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in your care must have your permission to be present.

You have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated confidentially.

You have the right to expect that, within its capacity, Williamson Memorial will reasonably respond to your request for services. The hospital must provide evaluation, service and referral as indicated by the urgency of your case. When medically permissible, you may be transferred to another facility only after that hospital has received complete information and an explanation about the need for, and alternatives to, the transfer. The institution to which you are being transferred must first have accepted the transfer.

You have the right to obtain information about any relationship of your hospital to other health care institutions insofar as your care is concerned. You have the right to obtain information about the existence of professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are treating you.

You have the right to be advised if the hospital proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting care or treatment. You have the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.

You have the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. You have the right to know in advance what appointment times physicians are available and where. You have the right to expect that the hospital will provide a way for your physician or a representative of your physician to inform you about continuing healthcare requirements upon your discharge from the hospital.

You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bills regardless of the source of payment.

You have the right to know which hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.

You have the right to expect the hospital staff will reasonably respond to your need for comfort and pain relief.

You have the right to receive impartial access to treatment. Treatment will be provided to our patients without respect to sex or cultural or economic background.

You have the right to have your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences respected.

You have the right to have visitors chosen by you.

You have the right to access information contained in your medical record within a reasonable time frame, including access to disclosures of protected health information in accordance with the law.

You have the right to be advised of the hospital grievance process should you wish to communicate a concern regarding the quality of care you receive or if you feel your determined discharge date is premature.

You have the right to receive a response to any reasonable request for service.

You have the right to be informed that a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals provide patient and family education programs.

You have the right to have all of your patient’s rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf.

You have the right to have a family member of your choice and your own physician notified of your admission to the hospital.

You have the right to voice a complaint and recommend changes freely without fear of being subjected to coercion, discrimination, reprisal or unreasonable interruption of care. If you have a problem or complaint, you may share it with your doctors, nurse or nurse manager.

You and your family and support network also have the right to voice a complaint with the following organizations:

Williamson Memorial Nursing Supervisor: (304) 235- 2500, Ext. 4401 (call for immediate assistance)

Williamson Memorial Administration: (304) 235- 2500, Ext. 4430

Online: customerservice@williamsonhealthwellness.com

Safety/Compliance Helpline: 1- (800) 928-0084

Patient Responsibilities

Williamson Memorial strives to provide comprehensive, quality healthcare in a spirit of personal caring, safety and concern. The care you receive while at Williamson Memorial is affected by your actions and participation. Therefore, as a patient, you also have certain responsibilities. We encourage you to:

1. Give accurate and complete information about your present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health.

1. Report any unexpected changes in your condition. For example, tell your nurse or call for a rapid response if you notice shortness of breath, itching, nausea, or feeling faint. Medications and treatments affect patients differently so we need to know if your condition changes.

1. Actively participate in decisions regarding your medical care. Ask for assistance in decision-making when you feel uncertain. Feel free to ask questions for explanations and details about potential treatments. Do not hesitate to ask questions such as “Why this treatment?” or “What alternative treatments are available to me?” and “What can I expect as a result of this treatment or as a result of no treatment?”

1. Ask questions about your medications and treatments. For example, ask the nurse to identify the pills you are being given, or question the therapist if new breathing treatments are started. Do not be afraid to request that the treatment be held until you have discussed it with your doctor.

1. Please discuss with your family, friends, and your caregiver your thoughts about life support, organ donation, and whom you would like to make medical decisions should you become unable to make your own decisions. Please provide the hospital with a copy of your Advance Directives, if you have one.

1. Please let us know if an answer is too detailed or we use words you don’t know.

1. Please be considerate of the rights of other patients, families, and you caregivers.

1. You are responsible for providing complete and accurate information about your health, medical history and personal data, including address, telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, insurance information, and employer.

1. You are responsible for following your plan of care, including purchasing supplies, medications, and other items required for self-care at home.

1. You are responsible for providing complete and accurate information about your health and medical history including present condition, medications, past surgeries, and hospitalizations.

1. You are responsible for leaving your personal valuables at home and only bringing necessary items to the hospital.

1. You are responsible for extending courtesy and respect to all staff, fellow patients, and visitors. You are responsible for following all rules and safety regulations.