UT Health East Texas recognizes the rights of human beings for independence of expression, decision and action and will protect these rights of all patients, regardless of age, race, creed, sex, national origin, religion or source of payment.
In order to provide quality healthcare to patients and their families, UT Health East Texas maintains that our patients have the following rights to the extent permitted by law:
- Effective communication that is delivered in a manner which is understandable to each patient including the use of language interpreters and resources for patients with communication impairments.
- Information provided in a manner tailored to the patient’s age, language and ability to understand.
- Respect for cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences.
- Privacy and confidentiality of protected health information, within legal limits, including discreet handling of case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment.
- Visitation including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member or a friend and the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
- Know the name and professional status of the physicians and others involved in care.
- Access spiritual guidance and pastoral care support.
- Effective assessment and management of pain.
- Access, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosures of health information, in accordance with law and regulation.
- Have a support individual present for emotional support during the course of your stay, unless the individual’s presence infringes on others’ rights, safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated [the individual may or may not be the patient’s surrogate decision-maker or legally authorized representative].
- An environment free from discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
- Considerate and respectful care that recognizes individual psychosocial, cultural and spiritual values, beliefs and preferences.
- Participate in decisions about care, treatment, and services including the right to have family and physician promptly notified of admission to the hospital.
- Involvement of surrogate decision-maker in making these decisions when the patient is unable.
- Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal.
- Family involvement in care, treatment and services, decisions to the extent permitted by the patient or surrogate decision-maker.
- Receive information about outcomes of care, treatment and services, and any unanticipated outcomes.
- Participate in determining care by consenting to recommended treatments or procedures, formulating advance directives, deciding to withhold resuscitative services, deciding to forgo or withdraw life-sustaining treatment, and appointing a surrogate decision maker.
- Give or withhold informed consent, including informed consent for production or use of recordings, films or other images of the patient for purposes other than their care.
- Participate or not participate in a research, investigation or clinical trial program.
- Create an advance directive and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with the directive.
- Be free from neglect, exploitation and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse.
- File a complaint and have complaints reviewed by the hospital.
- Access to protective and advocacy services.
- Remain free from seclusion and restraint of any form that is not medically necessary.
- Optimal comfort and dignity during the terminal stage of an illness.
Each patient has the responsibility to:
- Provide proper identification.
- Provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and/or alternative therapy used.
- Report perceived risks in his or her care and unexpected changes in his or her condition.
- Inform the doctor or nurse if the patient does not understand the plan of care and what is expected of the patient.
- Know and follow the treatment plan prescribed by the medical team.
- Express concerns about his or her ability to follow the plan of care.
- Make and keep appointments and notify the staff when unable to do so.
- Accept responsibility for outcomes related to refusing treatment or not following the medical team’s instructions.
- Follow hospital rules and regulations and secure all valuable and belongings.
- Demonstrate consideration for the rights of staff, other patients and visitors and assist in the control of noise, the number of visitors and our non-smoking policy.
- Respect hospital property and the property of others.
- Meet any financial obligations agreed to with the hospital in a prompt manner and provide necessary financial information.