Patient Rights & Responsibilities

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The following statements are not intended to be all-inclusive, but to convey St. John’s concern about the relationship between the Medical Center and our patients.

You, the patient, have the right to.......

  • Personal privacy and to be treated with respect and courtesy;
  • Receive care that is given without discrimination as to race, color, religion, mental or physical capacity, sex, national origin, values, beliefs, or ability to pay;
  • Select and see your doctor when you are a patient, to know the identiy of any person involved in your care, and to select those who care for you after leaving the hospital;
  • Take part in the planning of your care, resolving of ethical questions, and to receive instruction and education about your care plan;
  • Receive information about your condition, prospect of recovery, treatment and treatment choices, risks involved in treatment choices, and to request an additional opinion;
  • Consent to or refuse treatment to the extent allowed by law, including options to forgo life sustaining or resuscitative services, complete an Advance Directive, and to designate a surrogate decision maker to speak on your behalf;
  • Receive information regarding unanticipated outcomes of treatment;
  • Expect care in a safe setting, free from abuse, neglect, harassment or exploitation and to access advocacy services;
  • Be free from restraint and seclusion of any form that is not medically necessary or used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff;
  • Expect reasonable protection for personal possessions entrusted to the hospital for safekeeping; and to have access to your possessions;
  • Access your medical record and have all your information held in confidence;
  • Be referred elsewhere for care if the receiving facility will accept you;
  • Voice concerns about your care and suggest changes in service, physician, or staff without fear of discrimination;
  • Receive information about your hospital bill, including if you qualify for health care coverage, and be given timely notice before the end of coverage;
  • Consent or refuse to take part in research affecting your care or treatment, if applicable;
  • Receive information about pain and pain relief measures and expect a reasonable response to your reports of pain;
  • Express your spiritual beliefs and cultural practices as long as they do not harm others or interfere with treatment;
  • File a grievance and be informed of the process to review and address the grievance.

As a patient, you are expected to.....

  • Provide accurate and complete information about your medical history, any existing Advance Directive, current condition, and changes during your stay;
  • Follow the treatment plan you have agreed to and be responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions;
  • Make arrangements to pay your hospital bill as soon as possible;
  • Follow hospital rules and show respect for the rights and property of other people and the hospital;
  • Provide for the safekeeping of your personal possessions not entrusted to the hospital;
  • Tell your doctor or nurse when you are experiencing pain, discuss pain relief and work with them to measure and relieve your pain;
  • Ask questions if you do not understand your plan of care