Rights and Responsibilities of Patients

Your well-being is our primary concern. While you are a patient, your basic right to make decisions, ask questions and be treated as an individual is as important to you as the quality of your medical care.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT

We consider you a partner in your health care. When you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. We encourage respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual.

While you are a patient at PeaceHealth Medical Group, your rights include the following:

  • You have the right to considerate and respectful care.
  • You have the right to be well-informed about your illness, possible treatments and likely outcome and to discuss this information with your doctor. You have the right to know the names and roles of people treating you.
  • You have the right to consent or refuse a treatment as permitted by law. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.
  • You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself. If you have a written advance directive, you should provide a copy to your family and your doctor.
  • You have the right to privacy. Our group, your doctor and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.
  • You have the right to expect a timely response to reports of pain, information about pain relief measures, and effective pain management. 
  • You have the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When we release records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential. 
  • You have the right to expect that we will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to
    accept you.
  • You have the right to know if PeaceHealth Medical Group has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers. 
  • You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care we can otherwise provide. 
  • You have the right to know about PeaceHealth Medical Group rules that affect you and your treatment and about changes and payment methods. You have the right to know about our resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees, that can help you resolve problems and questions.
  • You have the right to have your cultural, psychological, spiritual and personal values, beliefs and preferences respected.

 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PATIENT

  • You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use of medicine. 
  • You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor. 
  • You and those accompanying you are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients and staff. 
  • You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with us to arrange payment, when needed. 
  • Your health depends not just on the care you receive at PeaceHealth Medical Group but, in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life style on your personal health.
  • You are expected to ask your health care provider about pain concerns, discuss options, develop a plan for pain management together, ask for pain relief when pain first starts, and help your provider assess your pain and response to relief measures. 

This group serves many purposes. Our goal is to improve people’s health; treat people with injury and disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, this organization works to respect your values and dignity.

Most concerns that you may have while visiting our clinics may be easily addressed by your provider or other staff caring for you. If you would like additional assistance, please feel free to contact the area manager or Director of Clinic Services at 687-6007. 
The Oregon Health Division is also available to assist you at:

Oregon Health Division
800 NE Oregon Street, #21, Suite 640
Portland, OR 97232
503-731-4013

You may also contact the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations at:

Office of Quality Monitoring
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
1-800-994-6610

Adapted from “Your Rights as a Hospital Patient” by the American Hospital Association