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Patient Rights
The Board of Governors, Medical/Dental Staff and RWJUH Rahway
Administration have endorsed the NJ Department of Health and Senior
Services regulations at N.J.A.C. 8:43G-4 and Public Law 1989, Chapter
170. The following is an abbreviated summary. A complete list is posted
in the room. 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 or ask the operator to contact the
Clinical Administrative Coordinator in the evening or on weekends.
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 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,
non-emergency 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 life-threatening 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, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or
interpreter if you need one to help you communicate with the
hospital's healthcare personnel.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 agency
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
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.
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 : 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 special needs, are encouraged to ask for special assistance. Please notify a nurse who will make necessary arrangements or call the Patient Advocate at ext. 6136.
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