Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a Patient, you, or your designated representative, have the right to:

  1. Be treated with dignity and to receive courteous, considerate, and respectful care from competent personnel.
  2. Be informed of patient rights during the admission process.
  3. Personal and informational privacy, within the law, during all aspects of care.
  4. To the degree that it is known, patients are provided with information concerning diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, potential complications and prognosis. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
  5. Confidentiality of records and disclosures. Except when required by law, you have the right to approve or refuse the release of records.
  6. Access information in your medical record, within the limits of state law.
  7. Maintain privacy and security of belongings during the delivery of patient care.
  8. The opportunity to participate in decisions involving your health care, unless contraindicated by concerns for your health.
  9. Make informed decisions about medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment.  Know that there may be a modification to an existing living will or advance directive. If you would like information about advance directives, please speak with a nurse.
  10. Information concerning: patient conduct and responsibilities; services available at the organization, provisions for after-hours and emergency care; fees for services, payment policies, and explanation of your bill.
  11. Expect that referral or transfer will occur if necessary but only after you or your family have been made aware of such need.
  12. Obtain information regarding relationships between the organization and other healthcare and educational institutions.
  13. Be advised when the facility is involved in research and the right to refuse participation in that research.
  14. Impartial access to treatment regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or disability, or source of payment (The Surgery Center adheres to all federal and state rules, regulations and policies to promote a non-discriminatory environment for all of our surgical guests).
  15. Expect interpretive services, visual and auditory aids will be made available.
  16. Receive care in a safe setting.
  17. Be free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation. Know that reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation will take place.
  18. Know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to you.
  19. Change providers if another qualified provider is available.
  20. Information concerning your physician’s relationship with this facility.
  21. Information about the credentials of health care professionals involved in your care.
  22. Exercise these rights without being subject to discrimination or reprisal.
  23. Report any comments concerning the quality of services provided to you during the time spent at the facility and receive fair follow-up on your comments, per facility policy. Complaints/grievance policies can be obtained from the Administrator or complaints/grievances can be directly reported to:

Susan Butcher – (316) 358-0813 – sbutcher@wusurgery.com
Or
Kansas Department of Health and Environment 1 (800) 842-0078
1000 SW Jackson St, Topeka, KS 66612

  • You may also contact the Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman at

http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

As a Patient, you are responsible for:

  1. Providing, to the best of your knowledge, complete and accurate information about your health, any medications taken, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
  2. Following the agreed-upon treatment plan recommended by the primary practitioner involved in your case and to participate in your care.
  3. Providing a responsible adult to transport you home after surgery and to remain with you as directed by the provider or as indicated on discharge instructions.
  4. Advise the organization of barriers to learning such as visual, auditory, or other deficits to include language barriers.
  5. Indicating whether you clearly understand a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.
  6. Your actions if you refuse treatment, leave the facility against the advice of the practitioner, and/or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions relating to your case.
  7. Assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are fulfilled as expediently as possible, including accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by your insurance.
  8. Being respectful of all health care providers and staff, as well as other patients and visitors.
  9. Keeping all appointments or for contacting the ASC if you can’t keep your appointment.
  10. Advising staff members regarding pain needs.

If a court of proper jurisdiction has granted guardianship of the patient to another party, such party may exercise these patient’s rights and shall be expected to abide by the responsibilities listed above.

It is essential that the healthcare team be aware of the patient’s rights and assists in exercising these. Where the healthcare worker has questions regarding any of the rights or responsibilities, it is that person’s responsibility to seek clarification.