Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients’ Rights

The Patient has the right to:

• Full privacy and security of individually identifiable health information according to regulations outlined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Communication, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly. The patient has the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual besides their healthcare provider.
• Know the name and the professional status of the physician or other credentialed healthcare practitioner who has primary responsibility for coordination of their care and the names and professional relationships of other practitioners who will see them.
• Be given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care.
• Receive information from their physician or other credentialed healthcare practitioner about their illness or condition, their course of treatment and prospects for recovery in terms that they can understand. Interpreters will be provided when necessary. 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.
• Be fully informed about their recommended treatment or a procedure and the expected outcome before it is performed. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of all the procedure(s) or treatment(s), the medically significant risk(s) involved, an alternate course of treatment or non-treatment, and the risk(s) involved in each. This information will include the name of the person who would carry out the treatment(s) or procedure(s).
• Twenty-four-hour access to physicians or other credentialed healthcare providers. Emergency measures are available as needed.
• Be informed of their expected financial responsibility prior to their treatment and receive an explanation of their bill, regardless of the source of payment.
• Choose where to be seen when referred to a facility for a diagnostic test or health care treatment or service and receive the test or service at a facility other than the one recommended by their healthcare practitioner. If the patient chooses to have the diagnostic test, health care treatment or service at a facility different from the one recommended by a practitioner, they are responsible for determining the extent or limitation of coverage at the facility of their choice.
• Voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is, or fails to be, furnished. Women’s Healthcare Associates will investigate all grievances made by the patient or the patient’s representative regarding treatment or care that is, or fails to be, furnished and respond appropriately.
• Receive verbal and written notice of these rights in advance of the date of the treatment in a language and manner that the patient or the patient’s representative understands.
• Exercise these rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.
• Exercise these rights without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, cultural background, economic status, educational background, religious background or the source of payment for care.

If a patient is judged incompetent under applicable State health and safety laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on the patient’s behalf.

Patients’ Responsibilities

Provision of Information. The patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications, and other matters relating to their health. They have the responsibility to report unexpected changes in their conditions to the responsible practitioner. The patient is responsible for making it known whether they understand a recommended course of action and what is expected of them.

Compliance with Instructions. The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for their care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioner’s orders, and as they enforce the applicable rules and regulations. The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when they are unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the facility.

Refusal of Treatment. The patient is responsible for their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions.

Charges. The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of their health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Rules and Regulations. The patient is responsible for following rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Respect and Consideration. The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel, and for assisting in the control of the noise, smoking, and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the facility. Failure to comply with this may lead to termination from care.

If you have a concern about your care

Please let us know! We want to hear your feedback. Any of our staff members can help you to initiate a concern for follow-up. If you have concerns about a provider in our facility, you can also contact the appropriate state licensing facility:

Oregon Medical Board
(971) 673-2700

Oregon State Board of Nursing
(971) 673-0685

Revised 2017-08.