Patients Rights

MidState Medical Center recognizes that its patients should be treated with dignity and their rights respected. We welcome the opportunity to express in a formal way, your rights:

• To treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, diagnosis, or source of payment.
• To considerate and respectful care.
• To obtain from your physician complete current information concerning your diagnosis.
• To receive from your physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment.
• To know the name of the person responsible for the procedure and/or treatment.
• To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of such action.
• To expect that within its capacity the hospital will make reasonable response to your requests for services.
• To expect reasonable continuity of care.
• To privacy concerning you medical care program.
• To examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of source of payment.
• To express complaints about care and services provided, and to have the Medical Center investigate such complaints.
• To request an interpreter if you do not speak or understand the predominant language of the community.
• To expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care be treated as confidential.
• To fair and compassionate care at all times and under all circumstances.
• To expect quick response to complaints of pain.

Patient Responsibilities

As a partner with us in your treatment, you as a patient have the responsibility:

To provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters related to your health.

• To report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner.
• To work with your doctor and nurse to develop a plan to manage your pain.
• To report whether you clearly understand a planned course of action and what is expected of you.
• To follow the treatment plan recommended by those responsible for your care.
• To assure that financial obligations of your care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• To be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and to assist in the control of noise, number of visitors, and being respectful of the property of others.

MidState Medical Center's overriding concern is for you, the patient, and above all, the recognition of your dignity as a human being. Should you have any questions about these rights and responsibilities, please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Representative at extension 8350.

Sign language and oral interpreters, TTY's, and other auxiliary aids and services are available, free of charge, to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Interpreters for non-English speaking persons are also available. Contact the Volunteer Services Department at 694-8275 or the medical center operator at "0".