Patient Rights and Responsibilities

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The patient has the right to exercise his or her rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal and receive services without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, or sponsor. The patient has the right to be free from neglect; exploitation; and verbal, mental, physical, and sexual abuse.

If a patient is adjudged 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.
If a State court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative designated by the patient in accordance with State law may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by State law.

Respect

Patients are treated with respect, consideration, and dignity for both property and person.
The organization respects the patient’s cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences.
The organization respects the patient’s right to pain management.
The patient’s rights will be protected and respected during research, investigation, and clinical trials.

Communication

The organization respects the patient’s right to and need for effective communication.

Dignity/Privacy

Patients are provided appropriate respect for privacy and confidentiality including all information and records pertaining to their treatment.
The organization treats the patient in a dignified and respectful manner that supports his/her dignity.
Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors

Consideration and Safety

Receive care in a safe setting.
Be free from all forms of abuse and harassment.
Patient’s right to refuse to participate in experimental research or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her actions.
The patient may refuse care, treatment, or services, in accordance with law and regulation. The patient has the right to actively participate in decisions about his/her care.
Make known your wishes in regards to anatomical gifts. You may document your wishes in your healthcare proxy or on a donor card, available from the center.
Patients are informed of their right to change their provider if other qualified providers are available. involving their care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
Patients are given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
The organization involves the patient’s family in care, treatment, or services decisions to the extent permitted by the patient or surrogate decision-maker, in accordance with law and regulation.
The organization honors the patient’s right to give or withhold informed consent to produce or use recordings, films, or other images of the patient for purposes other than his or her care.

Confidentiality

• Patient disclosures and records are treated confidentially, and patients are given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release, except when release is required by law or third-party payment contract.

Information

The organization allows the patient to access, request amendment to, and obtain information on disclosures of his or her health information, in accordance with law and regulation.
Patients are provided, to the degree known, complete information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis before the treatment or procedure tailored to the patient’s age, language, and ability to understand. 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.
The organization provides interpreting and translation services, as necessary.
The organization communicates with the patient who has vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments in a manner that meets the patient’s needs.
Disclose physician financial interests or ownership in the Center.
Services available at the organization.
Provisions for after-hours and emergency care.
Fees for services, eligibility for third party reimbursement and, when applicable, the availability of free or reduced cost care and receive an itemized copy of his/her account statement, upon request.

Payment Policies

Advance directives, as required by state or federal law and regulations and if requested, official State advance directive forms.
Document in a prominent part of the patient’s current medical record, whether or not the individual had executed an advance directive.
The credentials of healthcare professionals.
The patient will be informed of his/her rights prior to the procedure in a manner in which the patient or the patient’s representative understands. The center must protect and promote the exercise of such rights.
Marketing or advertising regarding the competence and capabilities of the organization is not misleading to patients.
Patients are provided with appropriate information regarding the absence of malpractice insurance coverage.
The organization informs the patient or surrogate decision maker about unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment, or services that relate to sentinel events considered by The Joint Commission.
Representation of accreditation to the public must accurately reflect the accredited entity.
Patients may access his/her medical record in compliance with center policy and regulation.
Receive from his/her physician information necessary to give in- formed consent prior to the start of any nonemergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would disclose in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision. A patient has the right to give or withhold informed consent.
Patients are informed about procedures for expressing suggestions, complaints and grievances regarding treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished, including those required by state and federal regulations.

Complaints should be registered by contacting the center and/or patient advocate through the State Department of Health or Medicare. The center will respond in writing with notice of how the grievance has been addressed within 30 days.

Patient Responsibilities

The care a patient receives depends partially on the patient. Therefore, in addition to these rights, a patient has certain responsibilities that are presented to the patient in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.

Patient Responsibilities require the patient to:

Follow the treatment plan prescribed by his/her provider and participate in his/her care.
The patient is encouraged to ask any and all questions of the physician and staff in order that he/she may have a full knowledge of the procedure and aftercare.
Provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/ her ability about his/her health, any medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities.
Provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if required by his/her provider.
Provide the organization with information about their expectations of and satisfaction with the organization.
Inform his/her provider about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect his/her care.
Accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by his/her insurance.
Be respectful of all the health care providers and staff, as well as the other patients.

Advance Directives

If you have an executed advance directive, please bring a copy with you at the time of your appointment. This document will become part of your medical record. We respect your right to participate in decisions regarding your healthcare. We do not discriminate against any patient based on his/her wishes about advance directives and it is our policy to honor the contents of your advance directives to the maximum extent practicable during your visit. However, any unexpected adverse event occurring at the center will be managed with resuscitative or other stabilizing measures followed by a transfer to a hospital’s emergency department for further evaluation. At all times, the patient or his/her representative will be able to obtain any information they need to give informed consent before any treatment or procedure. In order to assure that the community is served by this facility, information concerning advance directives is available at the facility

Physician Participation

This is to inform you that your physician may have a financial interest or ownership in the center. A list of owners is provided at the center.

Patient Rights Notification

Each patient at the center will be notified of their rights in the following manner:

A written notice provided in advance of their procedure in a language and manner the patient understands
A verbal notice provided in advance of their procedure in a language and manner the patient understands
A posted notice visible by patients and families waiting for treatment

Patient Guardian

The patient’s guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person has the right to exercise the rights delineated on the patient’s behalf, to the extent permitted by law, if the patient:

Has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law
Has designated a legal representative to act on their behalf
Is a minor

Patient Grievances

For concerns about patient safety and quality of care that you feel have not been addressed appropriately by the center administrator, you can also contact:

The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

E-mail: complaint@jointcommission.org

Contacts

Fredericksburg Endoscopy
1211 Central Park Blvd
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 408-0800

Virginia Department of Health
9960 Maryland Dr Suite 401
Henrico, VA 23233
800-955-1819

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman
800-MEDICARE 800-633-4227
https://www.medicare.gov/claims-appeals

For more information, contact us at 540.408.0800

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