Advance directives
The patient has the right to receive information about and to formulate advance directives.
Notification
The patient has the right to be assured that his/her family, delegate or physician will be notified of his/her admission to the hospital.
Ethical issues
The patient has the right to participate in consideration of ethical issues that arise in the care of the patient, including the right to access the ethics resource committee.
Access to care
Individuals shall be accorded impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available and medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, or sources of payment for care.
Respect and dignity
The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of his personal dignity.
Privacy and confidentiality
The patient has the right, within the law, to privacy concerning his medical care. Examination and treatment, consultation and case discussion are confidential and will be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in the patient's care must have the patient's permission to be present.
Medical Records, communications and other records pertaining to a patient's care are to be treated confidentially and are to be accessed on a "need to know basis" only. (See Policy #10110-21 Release of Patient Medical Information). The patient has a right to access information in his or her medical record.
Restraints
The patient has the right to be free of the medically inappropriate use of restraints.
Personal safety
The patient has the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned.
Pain management
The patient has the right to have pain assessed and managed as effectively as possible.
Abuse and harassment
The patient has the right to be free of abuse or harassment.
Information
The patient has the right to obtain from his/her physician complete information concerning diagnosis (to the degree known), treatment and known prognosis in terms that the patient can reasonably be expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate individual on the patient's behalf. The patient has the right to know by the name, the physician primarily responsible for coordinating his/her care. The patient has the right to know if an adverse event or error has occurred.
Communication
So long as it does not disturb the provision of care to the patient or others, the patient has the right of access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors, and by verbal and written communication. When the patient does not speak or understand the predominant language of the community, efforts are made to provide an interpreter.
Consent
The patient has the right to reasonable participation in decisions involving his health care. To the degree possible, this should be based on a clear, concise explanation of his condition and of all proposed technical procedures, including the possibilities of any risk of mortality or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation, and probability of success. The patient should not be subjected to any procedure without his voluntary, competent, and understanding consent or the consent of his legally authorized representative. When medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, the patient shall be so informed. The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services to him or her.
Participation in research
The patient shall be informed if the hospital proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation or other research/educational projects affecting his care or treatment; the patient may choose to participate, refuse to participate and/or discontinue participation at any time.
Consultation
The patient has the right to request consultation with another physician. The attending physician will be responsible for contacting other consultants at the request of the patient, the next of kin if the patient is unable to make the request, or the legal guardian.
Refusal of treatment
The patient, or his/her legally authorized representative, may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and will be informed about the medical consequences of such a refusal. When refusal of treatment by the patient or his legally authorized representative prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.
Transfer/continuity of care
A patient may be transferred to another facility, if medically necessary and permissible, only after complete explanation to the patient of the need for such a transfer. The institution and the physician to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer. The patient has the right to expect that services needed and ordered by the physician will be available. The patient has a right to information which will assist in recovery after discharge from the hospital.
Hospital charges
The patient has the right to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total bill for services rendered in the hospital, regardless of the source of payment for that care.
Hospital rules and regulations
The patient has a right to access the hospital rules and regulations applicable to conduct as a patient. Patients are entitled to information about the hospital's mechanism for the initiation, review and resolution of patient complaints.
Pastoral care
The patient has the right to receive pastoral/spiritual care. Insofar as possible, the patient will have the support to practice his/her particular faith tradition.
Complaint process
Saint Joseph's strives to maintain standards of excellence--one being taking ownership of complaints. If you have a complaint we ask you first address it with the staff, manager/supervisor and then director of the area so it can be handled as soon as possible.
Patient grievance process
It is the policy of Saint Joseph’s Hospital to protect and support the rights of all its patients. A verbal or written grievance can be filed with the Saint Joseph’s Grievance Committee through the office of:
Senior Vice President, Sponsorship
Saint Joseph's Health System
5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-851-5735
Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary grievance procedures
If the patient is a Medicare beneficiary, the patient or the patient’s authorized representative may file a grievance with the Medicare Peer Review Committee by contacting:
MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
Georgia Medical Care Foundation
Phone: 404-982-0411
MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES
The Ombudsman’s Office
Department of Human Services
Phone: 404-982-0411
Department of Human Resources (DHR) grievance procedure
Patients have a right to file a grievance through this department by contacting:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Office of Regulatory Services
Complaint Intake Unit
2 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 31
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
404-657-5728
