Patient Rights & Responsibilities

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard

The Board of Governors of The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard recognizes the rights and responsibilities of both healthcare providers and patients. We endorse the following statements regarding the rights and responsibilities of all our patients/residents, as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the American Hospital Association:

Patient Rights:

1. Receive considerate and respectful care from competent personnel.
2. Be informed about proposed changes in the Professional Staff responsible for their care.
3. Receive respectful, courteous, and dignified care without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, disability, source of payment, or type of illness or condition.
4. Be provided with the names of attending physicians and all physicians directly involved in their care, as well as the names and roles of healthcare professionals in direct contact with them.
5. Express complaints or grievances and have them heard. The right to appeal any decisions made regarding grievances.
6. Know the relationship of the hospital to other individuals/organizations involved in their care.
7. Be free from unnecessary restraints and seclusion, which should not be used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
8. Be free from mental, physical, sexual, verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation while under our care.
9. Have their personal privacy respected and receive care in a safe environment.
10. Receive appropriate assessment and management of pain.
11. Be informed about the outcomes of their care, including unanticipated outcomes, and have their legally responsible party informed as well.
12. Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
13. Access, request amendment, and receive an accounting of disclosures regarding their health information.
14. Have access to all information contained in their medical record, unless restricted by the attending physician for medical reasons or prohibited by law.
15. Expect an environment that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.
16. Be informed of their visitation rights and any restrictions or limitations, as well as the right to withdraw or deny consent for visitors.
17. Not be denied visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
18. Ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preference.
19. File complaints of discrimination with relevant authorities.
20. Be advised when a physician is considering them for participation in a medical research or donor program and give informed consent before participating.
21. Refuse participation in any program for which they have previously given informed consent.
22. Make decisions involving their healthcare in collaboration with their physician, including the right to formulate an advance directive and appoint a surrogate to make decisions on their behalf.
23. Expect practitioners to comply with the Advance Directive.
24. Request consultation with another physician at their own expense.
25. Receive complete information and explanation regarding the need for and alternatives to any transfer to another facility.
26. Be communicated with in a clear, concise, and understandable manner. Access to interpreters, where possible, for non-English speaking patients.
27. Expect the provision of auxiliary aids and services.
28. Receive good quality healthcare and high professional standards.
29. Examine and receive a detailed explanation of the bill for services.
30. Receive information and counseling on the availability of financial resources for healthcare.
31. Comply with hospital rules and regulations.
32. Receive information on continuing healthcare requirements and available resources upon discharge.
33. Expect confidentiality and privacy regarding their medical care.
34. Have a family member or representative of their choice involved in their care.
35. Have their own physician promptly notified of their admission to the hospital.
36. Access individuals or agencies authorized to act on their behalf to assert and protect their rights.
37. Be compensated for work that benefits the facility, according to federal wage and hour regulations.
38. Be informed of their rights at the earliest possible moment during hospitalization.
39. Accept or refuse drugs, treatments, or procedures offered by the hospital to the extent permitted by law.
40. Participate in the consideration of ethical issues related to their care.
41. Receive information about the hospital’s mechanism for initiating, reviewing, and resolving complaints.

Patients have the right to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-800-254-5164. Safety or quality concerns can also be reported to the Joint Commission at 1-800-994-6610 or via email at complaint@jointcommission.org.

Patient Responsibilities:

1. Provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other health-related matters to the best of their knowledge.
2. Report unexpected changes in their condition to the responsible practitioner and seek clarification when necessary.
3. Follow the treatment plan recommended by the responsible practitioner and healthcare personnel, including following instructions, enforcing hospital rules and regulations, and keeping appointments or notifying the responsible practitioner or hospital when unable to do so.
4. Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, assist in controlling noise, smoking, and the number of visitors.
5. Provide accurate and complete personal information, including address and insurance details, to initiate or update medical records correctly.
6. Review and understand the hospital bill and be aware of available financial resources for healthcare.
7. Comply with hospital rules and regulations regarding conduct.
8. Understand and follow post-discharge healthcare requirements and available resources.
9. Respect the privacy of other patients and their healthcare programs, ensuring confidentiality and discretion during discussions, consultations, examinations, and treatments.
10. Have a family member or representative involved in their care.
11. Promptly notify their own physician of their admission to the hospital.
12. Exercise their right to access individuals or agencies authorized to act on their behalf.
13. Comply with federal wage and hour regulations if engaged in work that benefits the facility.
14. Be informed of their rights early in the hospitalization process.
15. Accept or refuse drugs, treatments, or procedures offered by the hospital to the extent permitted by law and understand the consequences of refusal.
16. Participate in the consideration of ethical issues related to their care.
17. Understand the hospital’s complaint initiation, review, and resolution mechanism.

Patients can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-800-254-5164 to file a complaint.

The Behavioral Wellness Center upholds these rights and responsibilities and is committed to providing quality care to all patients.