Northwest Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care to
every patient. As a patient, you are entitled to certain rights to
ensure that the quality of your care is to your satisfaction.
You have the right:
To receive care in a safe and respectful setting:
You can expect that your dignity and privacy will be recognized and
respected. You can expect to receive the same treatment and
consideration regardless of your race, creed, color, national origin,
age, language, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability,
socioeconomic status or ability to pay. You can also expect to be free
from all forms of abuse or harassment within the hospital. This
includes the use of restraint or confinement as a means of discipline or
coercion or as a convenience to hospital staff. Although the hospital
may have to use restraints to keep you safe, this will only be done
after all other options have been exhausted.
To participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care:
This includes being informed of the names and roles of those who are
treating you. You also have the right to be informed about your illness,
possible treatments and likely outcomes of these treatments. You will
be kept advised of your treatments and therapies and any potential side
effects you may experience, including medications administered within
the hospital. If you are unable to make decisions for yourself, your
designated representative, as defined by state law,will have the right
to make these decisions for you. You have the right to have your own
physician notified of your admission to the hospital.
To have your pain addressed and treated accordingly:
This includes working cooperatively with hospital staff to identify pain
management needs and proactively developing a plan to address those
needs.
To consent to or refuse treatment, as permitted by law:
This includes forgoing life-sustaining measures. If you refuse a
recommended treatment, you will be fully informed of any potential
outcomes, receive other needed and available care, and be referred to
alternative care options, as necessary.
To have an advance directive, such as a living will or a durable medical power of attorney:
In these documents, you may name a surrogate decision maker who may
speak for you should you be unable to speak for yourself. Your wishes,
as expressed in your advance directive, may include, but are not limited
to forgoing, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. Your
wishes will be abided by in accordance with accepted principles of
medical practice, ethics and law.
To have emotional support:
Patients have the right to have a family member, friend or other
individual of their choice present for emotional support during the
course of their hospital stay, unless the individual’s presence
infringes on others’ rights or safety, or is medically or
therapeutically contraindicated. The individual may or may not be the
patient’s surrogate decision maker or legally authorized representative.
To personal privacy:
The hospital will make every effort to protect your privacy. This may
include asking visitors to excuse themselves while care is being
administered. You also have the right to ask that medical staff not
directly involved in your care not be present without your permission.
To receive assistance in planning for your discharge from the hospital:
Should referral or transfer to another institution be recommended or
requested, the hospital will inform you of the risks, benefits and
alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution
agrees to accept you.
To have medical information kept confidential:
Your medical records will only be used for the purposes described in the
LifeBridge Health Notice of Privacy Practices. You should have been
provided with a copy of that document upon admission. If for some reason
you did not receive a copy, or if you would like another copy, please
contact your nurse.
To know if Northwest Hospital 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.
To voice a concern without the fear of retribution or reprisal:
Any concerns expressed will be addressed within a reasonable time frame
by the hospital. Please notify your nurse of any issues or concerns.
Should you wish to speak to someone other than your nurse, you may ask
to speak with the manager of the unit or department. If you wish to
speak to someone outside of the unit or department, you may contact the
Guest Relations department at Northwest Hospital.
To access Guest Relations, you may call extension 55547, (410) 521-2200 or write to Guest Relations, Northwest Hospital, 5401 Old Court Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. If no one is immediately
available by phone, instructions will be left on how to access
assistance immediately.
Although speaking with someone at the hospital will allow us to provide
you with the most immediate feedback and assistance, should you wish to
discuss your concerns with someone outside the hospital, you have the
right to contact the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene Office of Healthcare Quality. They can be reached by phone at
(410) 402-8016 or correspondence may be directed to the Office of
Healthcare Quality, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 55 Wade
Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228. If you wish you may also contact The
Joint Commission at (800) 994-6610.
Patient Responsibilities
As a partner in your care, Northwest Hospital asks that you maintain an
active role in your care and treatment. To do this, we ask that you
assume several responsibilities as a patient.
These responsibilities include:
- To provide information about your health, including past
illnesses; hospital stays; and use of any medications, including
prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal,
nutrient additive or any other nutritional information that may
impact your care.
- To ensure that every medication you take within the hospital has
an intended purpose. If we do not explain what a medication is for to
your satisfaction, please let your nurse know so that we may provide you
with additional information.
- To ask questions if you do not understand information or
instructions we have provided you. If we ask you to follow through
with treatment, and you feel you will be unable to do so, we ask that
you notify your doctor of this.
- To ensure that you and your visitors are considerate of the
needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. We expect that anyone
within the hospital treat others with respect and dignity.
- To provide information about your insurance coverage and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.
Feedback
If you have a concern or problem with any aspect of your care, please
inform your nurse. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction,
you may contact the Guest Relations department at extension 55547.
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