Patient Rights and Responsibilties

Every patient admitted to Cardinal Hill Healthcare System has rights and responsibilities.  These rights are guaranteed and respected by the personnel of Cardinal Hill Healthcare System, but must also be adhered to by the physicians, families and visitors of this hospital.

For your convenience, we have included the Patients Rights and Responsibilities below. You have the right to:

• Receive a written statement of your rights.
• Unrestricted access to communication, visitors, mail and telephone calls, unless otherwise indicated.
• Any restrictions will be  fully explained to you.
• Be involved in all aspects of your care.
• Access to pastoral and spiritual services.
• Have issues related to care at the end of life addressed with sensitivity.
• Be free from restraints or seclusion imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
• Be protected during research, investigation and clinical trials.
• Be transferred to another facility only after receiving an explanation concerning the need for the transfer.
• Know of any other business relationship between the organization and any other health care service or education organization.
• Communicate any complaints to the hospital without jeopardizing future access to care.  You can do this through our Quality Manager, Ethic’s Committee, the hospital administrator or the Kentucky  Division of Licensing and Regulation at (502) 564-2800
• Treatment or accommodations regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin or sources of payment for care.
• Treatment with personal dignity and respect.
• Confidential treatment of medical and personal records.
• Discuss and exercise your cultural and spiritual beliefs that do not interfere with the medical care or well being of others.
• Reasonable safety regarding hospital practices and environment.
• Understandable information concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications to give informed consent prior to the procedure and/or treatment.
• Know the name of the doctors responsible for your care and the names and functions of other health care professionals involved in your care.
• Consult with a specialist at your own request and expense.
• Receive an itemized and detailed explanation of your hospital bill at your request.
• Present or execute an advance directive and appoint a surrogate to make health care decisions on  your behalf and to have the hospital honor the intent of the directive to the extent permitted by law  and hospital policy.
• Have an interpreter assist with communication free of charge.
• Make decisions about treatment or care including withholding, foregoing or withdrawing life support measures.
• To be informed and, when appropriate, have your family informed about the outcomes of care,  including unanticipated  outcomes.
• Prompt notification to your family member or representative and your own physician of your  admission.
• Know the hospital rules and regulations affecting your care and the mechanism to initiate, review and  resolve a patient  complaint through available resources.
• Review the records pertaining to your care and to have the information explained or interpreted as  necessary, except when restricted by law.
• Access protective services information.
• Appropriate assessment and management of pain.

Your responsibilities as a patient include:

• Providing accurate health care information about your present symptoms, past illnesses, hospitalizations and medications.
• Asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
• Following the recommended care, service and treatment plan.
• Accepting the outcome of your actions if you do not follow the treatment plan.
• Following any and all hospital rules and regulations concerning patient care and conduct.
• Being considerate of the rights and property of other patients, hospital employees, equipment and facilities.
• Complying with the hospital’s non-smoking policy.
• Complying with the hospital’s cell phone policy.
• Meeting financial obligations agreed upon with the hospital and providing insurance or financial information regarding the  responsible party for the bill.