The Patient Has The Right To:

1. Respectful care given by competent personnel in a safe environment.
2. Be informed of his/her rights and responsibilities in advance of furnishing or discontinuing patient care whenever possible and at the earliest possible time in the course of his/her/her hospitalization.
3. Upon request, to be given the name of his/her attending physician, the names of all other physicians directly participating in his/her care, and the names and functions of other health care persons having direct contact with the patient.
4. Every consideration of his/her privacy concerning his/her own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are considered confidential and should be conducted discreetly.
5. Have all records pertaining to his/her medical care treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third party contractual arrangements. Have medical information shared only with healthcare providers that need this information to provide the appropriate care.
6. Know what facility rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.
7. Expect emergency procedures to be implemented without unnecessary delay.
8. Good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.
9. Full information in laymen's terms, concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications. When it is not possible or medically advisable to give such information the patient, the information shall be given on his/her behalf to the patient's designee. The attending physician will inform the patient, and when appropriate, their designee about outcomes of care including those that are unanticipated.
10. Except for emergencies, the physician must obtain the necessary informed consent prior to the start of any procedure or treatment, or both.
11. Be advised when a physician is considering the patient as a part of a medical research program of donor program. Informed consent must be obtained prior to actual participation in such program and the patient of legally responsible party, may at any time, refuse to continue in any such program to which he has previously given informed consent.
12. Refuse any drugs, treatment or procedure offered by the facility, to the extent permitted by law, and a physician shall inform the patient of his/her right to refuse any drugs, treatment or producers and of the medical consequences of the patient's refusal of any drugs, treatment or procedure.
13. Assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician at the patient's request and expense.
14. Medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin or source of payment.
15. Patient who does not speak English shall have access, when possible, to an interpreter.
16. Provide a patient, or patient designee, upon request, access to the protected health information contained in the designated medical records. The patient may submit a request to amend his/her medical record. A patient's access to medical records may be restricted by the patient's attending physician. If the physician restricts the patient's access to information in the patient's medical record, the physician shall record the reasons on the patient's medical record. Access shall be restricted only for sound medical reason. A patient's designee may have access to the information in the patient's medical records even if the attending physician restricts the patient's access to those records. The hospital must actively seek to meet such a request as quickly as its record system permits.
17. Not to be awakened by hospital staff unless it is medically necessary.
18. Be free from needless duplication of medical and nursing procedures.
19. Medical and nursing treatment that avoids unnecessary physical and mental discomfort.
20. When medically permissible, a patient may be transferred to another facility only after he or his/her next of kin or other legally responsible representative has received complete information and an explanation concerning the needs for and alternatives to such a transfer. The facility to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer.
21. Examine and receive a detailed explanation of his/her bill, and if possible, an itemized statement on request and the right to full information and counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his/her health care.
22. Expect that the facility will provide a mechanism whereby he is informed upon discharge of his/her continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.
23. A patient cannot be denied the right of access to an individual or agency who is authorized to act on his/her behalf to assert or protect the rights set out in this Patient Bill of Rights.
24. Formulate advance directives and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives, in accordance with Sec. 489.100 HCFA part 482. To appropriate assessment and management of pain by: Providing information about pain and pain relief measures for the development of a pain management plan during hospitalization and continuance upon discharge as appropriate Staff commitment to pain prevention and rapid response to reports of pain.
25. Have a family member or representative of his or her choice and his or her own physician notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.
26. Personal privacy, to receive care in a safe setting, and to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment. The right to participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care and the right to be informed of his/her health status.
27. Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
28. The emancipated patient has the right to refuse treatment and leave the hospital against medical advice.
29. Receive prompt resolution of either written or verbal grievance to the hospital. The procedure for submission of a complaint/grievance is as follows:

a. To the staff member, or healthcare provider, providing the care;
b. The Department Director in the involved department;
c. The Director of Quality Management; or
d. The Director of Chief Nursing Officer; or
e. Chief Executive Officer
f. Input by mail should be addressed to:

Martin General Hospital                         
Attention: Jo Anne Nance, Chief Nursing Officer           
P.O. Box 1198, Williamston, NC 27892

g. Telephonically, call (252) 809-6179 and ask to speak to a representative identified in a, b, c, d, or e.

The individual who feels that his/her concerns have not been resolved, or who wishes to go outside of the Hospital may contact:

North Carolina Department of Human Resources
Division of Facility Services
701 Barbour Drive, P.O. Box 29530
Raleigh, NC 27626-0530
Phone: 800-624-3004

When possible, concerns will be resolved at the lowest level and on the spot. If the situation warrants a detailed investigation, involvement of several areas of responsibility may necessitate a delayed response. Every effort will be made to provide a timely resolution. A verbal response to the concern will be provided back to the complainant as soon as possible (within 14 days), and no later than five (5) business days. The hospital will then provide the patient with written notice to the grievance, as soon as possible and no later than 30 days. The response will contain the name of the hospital contact person, the steps taken on behalf of the patient to investigate the grievance, the result of the grievance and the date of completion. Concerns that are determined to be complaints, rather than grievances, will be managed in the same manner, and notification to the complainant may be verbal or in writing. The care a patient receives depends partially on the patient himself . Therefore, in addition to these rights a patient has certain responsibilities as well.
These responsibilities should be presented to the patient in a spirit of mutual trust and respect.

Patient's and Their Family Have Responsibilities For:

1. Providing, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health.
2. Reporting any perceived hazards, risks, or safety concerns to the staff when identified.
3. Reporting unexpected changes in the patient's condition.
4. Helping the hospital improve its understanding of the patient's environment by providing feedback about service needs and expectations.
5. Asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about their care or what they are expected to do.
6. Following the care, service, or treatment plan developed. They should express concerns they have about their ability to follow and comply with the proposed care plan or course of treatment Every effort is made to adapt the plan to the patient's specific needs and limitations. When such adaptations to the treatment plan are not recommended, the patient and family are responsible for understanding the consequences of the treatment alternatives and not following the proposed course.
7. The outcomes if they do not follow the care, service, or treatment plan.
8. Following the hospital's rules and regulations concerning patient care and conduct.
9. Being considerate of the hospital's personnel and property.
10. Promptly meeting any financial obligation agreed to with the hospital.
11. Being considerate of other patients, helping control noise and disturbances, following smoking policies, and respecting others' property.
12. Keeping appointments and for notifying the hospital/physician when he/she is unable to do so.
13. Participation in pain management by: Discussing expectations with their attending physician and nurse regarding pain relief options.