POLICY:
Every patient has the right to be treated as an individual with his rights respected.
PURPOSE:
To assure the rights of all patients coming to GI Medicine Associates are respected without regard to sex, culture, economic status, education, handicap, race, color, age or religious background.
PROCEDURE:
Patients coming to G.I. Medicine will be made aware of their rights while here at G.I. Medicine. Their rights are as follows:
- To receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or source of payment;
- To receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints;
- To understand the indications for their treatment plan and/or procedure;
- To receive all the information they need to give informed consent for any procedure, including the possible risks and benefits of the procedure;
- To receive complete information about their diagnosis, planned treatment and prognosis. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information will be provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person;
- To participate in all decisions involving health care, except when such participation is contra-indicated for medical reasons;
- To provide privacy, confidentiality and integrity of all information and records regarding their care;
- To approve or refuse the release of their medical records except when required by law;
- To be aware of fees for service and the billing process;
- To refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on their health;
- To complain without fear of reprisals about the care and service they are receiving;
- To refuse to participate in experimental research.