EAST OHIO

At the cornerstone of our organization, is the recognition of the value and dignity of each human being. This declaration of rights is our commitment to you to ensure that our tradition of courtesy, dignity and quality medical care is extended to you during your stay with us. All rights, of course, carry with them responsibilities. Your stay, and the outcome of that stay, as well as the rights of other patients, also require that you understand and meet your responsibilities as a patient. We have developed these rights from the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, issued by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Patient’s Self-Determination Act of OBRA, and the hospital’s own code. This document is in no way intended to substitute for legal advice or consultation. It is simply our way of alerting you to our standards, both for you and for us.

You have a right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of your personal dignity. Your race, creed, country of origin, sex, age or ability to pay in no way ever reduces this right to dignity. In the case of the terminally ill patient, you have the right to optimal comfort and dignity through treatment of symptoms, effective pain management, acknowledgment of psychosocial and spiritual concerns of yourself and your family regarding dying and the expression of grief.

CORRESPONDING RESPONSIBILITY:

You must follow hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. You must also be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and assist in the control of noise and number of visitors. You must respect the property and persons of others in the hospital. Any ethical issues you may have should be brought to the attention of your caregivers for discussion and/or resolution.

CORRESPONDING RESPONSIBILITY:

You have a right to reasonable response to your requests and need for treatment or services, within the hospital’s capacity, its stated mission, and applicable laws and regulations. You have a right to impartial access to treatments or accommodations that are available or medically necessary, regardless of your ability to pay. You have a right to request and receive an itemized bill as well as a detailed explanation of it. We shall notify you in a timely manner if we are aware that your eligibility for reimbursement is about to be terminated. You have a right to be discharged based solely on medical judgment. Your doctor and the hospital together determine when you no longer require inpatient hospital care. We are not to discharge you solely because your insurance ceases to cover your stay. If you are a Medicare patient and believe you are being discharged too soon, talk this over with your physician. For a copy of these specific procedures, contact Utilization Review at contact@eohospital.com.

ACCESS TO CARE RIGHT:

You are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are fulfilled as soon as possible. If you have no insurance, and no ability to pay, you must contact Social Services and apply for any funding for which you may qualify, at no cost to you.

INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENT RIGHT:

We feel that quality of care may be enhanced when patients and/or their families participate in decisions relating to their care. Thus, care and treatment decisions elicit respect and incorporate patient preferences.You have a right to obtain all reasonable and available information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from your physician, in terms that you can reasonably be expected to understand. You have a right to receive information about outcomes of your care, including unanticipated outcomes. When it is medically imprudent, or ill-advised, to share that information with the patient, we will make it available to a legally authorized individual. You have the right to access your medical record; please contact your nurse. Prior to any surgical or invasive procedure (except in emergency or life-threatening situations), you will be informed fully about the procedure and must grant your consent before undergoing the procedure. Invasive procedures include invasion of the body, such as through insertion of instruments. The process of informed consent usually is documented on a form that describes the specific procedure, the reasonably foreseeable risks, and other options you can choose, if there are any. You will be asked to sign this form which indicates you understand the information explained to you and agree to have the procedure. You have the right to accept medical care or to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusal.

CORRESPONDING RESPONSIBILITY:

You must provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your medical complaints, as well as divulge completely your medical history, including past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and family medical history and other matters relating to your health. You must report any changes in your condition to your physician promptly. If you do not understand your physician’s or other health practitioner’s explanation of a procedure, or what is expected of you as a patient, it is your obligation to say so. You are responsible to follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor, including cooperating in following that plan with nurses and others responsible for coordinating your treatment plan. You are obliged to keep appointments and notify the doctor or hospital when you are unable to do so. You may refuse any treatment, or you can neglect to follow your doctor’s instructions, but you are responsible for these actions and decisions.

PRIVACY RIGHT:

You have a right, within the law, to personal, and informational privacy, as manifested by the following:

To refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the hospital, including visitors, or persons connected with the hospital, but not involved in your direct care.

To know the identity and professional status of any individuals providing service to you, and any professional relationships between the people providing service to you.

When students in health care education are involved in your care, your participation is voluntary.

You may wear appropriate personal clothing and religious symbols as long as they do not interfere with your treatment.

You should be interviewed in private surroundings.

You may have a person of your own sex present during certain parts of a physical exam, treatment or procedure which is performed by a person of the opposite sex.

You are to remain disrobed no longer than is necessary to accomplish the medical purpose at hand.

To expect that any discussion of your care will be conducted discreetly and only with those involved directly with your case.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT RIGHT:

You have the right to receive care in a safe setting as described in the following:

To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

To receive instructions regarding safety precautions related to your care, equipment and monitoring devices.

To be free from restraints or seclusion except as medically necessary. Restraints will NOT be used as a means of coercion,

punishment, convenience, or retaliation.

To be placed in protective privacy when considered necessary for personal safety.

CORRESPONDING RESPONSIBILITY:

You are responsible to promptly report to a member of your health care team any identified or perceived risk to your safety. If you have any safety concerns please notify your nurse or call Administration at 740-633-4151. You must notify your nurse prior to leaving the patient care area. You or your family must not operate or manipulate any equipment used in your care unless you have been instructed to do so and have demonstrated ability to safely operate the equipment.

CONSIDERATION OF ETHICAL ISSUES RIGHT:

You have a right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in the provision of your care, including resolution of conflict, withholding of resuscitative services, forgoing or

withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and participation in investigational studies and/or clinical trials. You, your family member, or your nurse may contact the Professional Ethics Committee at contact@eohospital.com to request an ethics consultation.

GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION RIGHT:

The hospital encourages its patients and their families to openly communicate with their physicians and other caregivers to resolve questions, concerns or complaints. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint. In most cases, by voicing your concerns directly to hospital staff, issues can be resolved quickly and effectively. However, you may file a grievance (complaint) by contacting Administration at contact@eohospital.com or addressing a written grievance to:

Chief Executive Officer

East Ohio Regional Hospital

90 North 4th Street

Martins Ferry, OH 43935

You may also report your grievance directly to the following state agency:

Ohio Dept. of Health

Complaint Unit

246 North High Street

Columbus, OH 43262

1-800-669-3534

If your concerns are not resolved by hospital administration, you may also contact:

Office of Quality Monitoring

Joint Commission on Accreditation of

Healthcare Organizations

One Renaissance Boulevard

Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

800-994-6610