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Patient Rights
If you have questions or concerns regarding your
hospitalization, please speak with your nurse. Each
nursing unit also has a nurse manager who is
available to assist you. For additional assistance, you
can contact the Patient Advocate Office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, (732) 499-6136. Evenings
or on weekends, ask the operator to connect you to
the Clinical Administrative Coordinator.
Every New Jersey hospital patient shall have the
following rights, none of which shall be abridged
by the hospital or any of its staff. The hospital
administrator shall be responsible for developing
and implementing policies to protect patient
rights and to respond to questions and grievances
pertaining to patient rights. These rights shall
include at least the following:
- To receive the care and health services that the
hospital is required by law to provide.
- To treatment and medical services without
discrimination based on age, religion, national
origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap,
diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of payment.
- To exercise all your constitutional, civil, and
legal rights.
- To receive an understandable explanation
from your physician of your complete medical
condition, recommended treatment, expected
results, risks involved, and reasonable medical
alternatives. If your physician believes that some of this information would be detrimental to your health or beyond your
ability to understand, the explanation must be given to your next of kin or
guardian.
- To give informed, written consent prior to the start of specified, nonemergency
medical procedures or treatments. Your physician should
explain to you--in words you understand--specific details about the
recommended procedure or treatment, any risks involved, time required
for recovery, and any reasonable medical alternatives.
- To refuse medication and treatment after possible consequences of this
decision have been explained clearly to you, unless the situation is lifethreatening
or the procedure is required by law.
- To be included in experimental research only if you give informed, written
consent. You have the right to refuse to participate.
- To be informed of the names and functions of all health care professionals
providing you with personal care.
- To receive, upon request, the hospital's written policies and
procedures regarding life-saving methods and the use or
withdrawal of life support mechanisms.
- To receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter
if you need one to help you communicate with the hospital’s healthcare
providers.
- To be informed of the names and functions of any outside health care and
educational institutions involved in your treatment. You may refuse to
allow their participation.
- To receive, upon request, the hospital’s written policies and procedures
regarding life-saving methods and the use or withdrawal of life support
mechanisms.
- To be advised in writing of the hospital’s rules regarding the conduct of
patients and visitors.
Information
- To receive a summary of your patient rights that includes the name
and phone number of the hospital staff member to whom you can ask
questions or complain about any possible violation of your rights.
- To have prompt access to the information in your medical record. If your physician feels that this access is detrimental to your health, your next of kin or guardian has a right to see your record.
- To obtain a copy of your medical record, at a reasonable fee, within 30 days after a written request to the hospital.
- To receive a copy of the hospital payment rates. If you request an itemized bill, the hospital must provide one, and explain any questions you may hAve. You have a right to appeal any charges.
- To be informed by the hospital if part or your entire bill will not be covered by insurance. The hospital is required to help you obtain any public assistance and private healthcare benefits to which you may be entitled.
- To receive information and assistance from your attending physician
and other healthcare providers if you need to arrange for continuing
healthcare after your discharge from the hospital.
- To receive sufficient time before discharge to arrange for continuing
healthcare needs.
- To be informed by the hospital about any appeal process to which you are entitled by law if you disagree with the hospital’s discharge plans.
- To be transferred to another facility only when you or your family has made the request or in instances where the transferring hospital is unable to provide you with the care you need.
- To receive an advance explanation from a physician of the reasons for your transfer and possible alternatives.
Your Privacy
- To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect for your
dignity and individuality.
- To have access to storage space in your room for private use. The
hospital must also have a system to safeguard your personal property.
- To freedom from physical and mental abuse.
- To freedom from restraints, unless they are authorized by a
physician for a limited period of time to protect the safety of you or
others.
- To have physical privacy during medical treatment and personal
hygiene functions, unless you need assistance.
- To confidential treatment of information about you. Information in
your records will not be released to anyone outside the hospital
without your approval, unless it is required by law.
Concerns
- To present questions, complaints or grievances to a designated hospital staff member and to receive a response in a reasonable period of time. The hospital must provide you with the address and telephone number
of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services that handles
questions and complaints. You may directly contact the NJ Department of
Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770 or write to:
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
Healthcare Quality and Oversight
P.O. Box 358
Trenton, NJ 08625
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission conducts periodic accreditation surveys at Robert
Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway.
The purpose of these surveys is to evaluate the organization’s
compliance with nationally established Joint Commission standards. The
survey results will be used to determine whether, and the conditions
under which, accreditation should be awarded to the hospital.
If any individual has any concerns about patient care and safety in the
hospital he or she is encouraged to contact the hospital’s Patient
Advocate at 732-499-6136.
If the concerns cannot be resolved through hospital management, the
individual may contact The Joint Commission to report concerns by either
calling 1-800-994-6610 or e-mailing: complaint@jointcommission.org, or
writing : The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd, Oak Brook, IL 60181.
Patient Responsibilities
RWJUH Rahway strives to ensure that all patients
are provided with comprehensive, quality and cost
effective healthcare services. In order to do this most
effectively and to maximize your involvement and
participation in the health care process, we ask that
you adhere to the patient responsibilities that follow.
It is your responsibility as a patient to:
- Provide accurate information about your past and present medical
history, including all medications that you are taking.
- Know the physician in charge of your care and the people on your
healthcare team.
- Actively participate in your plan of care decisions and include your
family/significant other to help provide for your discharge needs.
- Ask questions about your medications, diagnostic test results and
anything you do not understand.
- Be considerate of other patients' needs for rest, quiet and privacy.
- Follow hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and
conduct.
- Provide complete and accurate information necessary for processing
your hospital bill.
- Be responsible for items on your bill not covered by insurance.
- Respect hospital property as well as the private property of other
patients and hospital personnel. Hospital property should not be
removed from the hospital premises.
- Inform physicians, nurses and other medical personnel if you have
any concerns regarding your care.
- In our educational resources, RWJUH Rahway strives to be
culturally, religiously, and spiritually sensitive to all people who
access our healthcare and education. If we can be more sensitive in
our materials, please forward your comments to the Patient
Advocate Office, (732) 499-6136.
Special Needs
Patients and family members who are deaf/hearing impaired or blind/sight
impaired, or who have any other disabilities, are encouraged to ask for
special assistance. Please notify a nurse who will make necessary
arrangements.
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