Patient Rights and Responsibilities

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Skagit Regional Health’s patient rights and responsibilities policies reflect on the importance of respect and privacy, confidentiality, information and consent for care for each and every patient.

All patients have the right to receive care in a safe setting where you are informed about your health, treatment and recovery. Each patient has the right to personal privacy and rights to complete information about your medical bill.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As our patient, you have the right:

Communication

To know the names of the health care professionals caring for you.
To have your questions or concerns addressed to the best of our ability.
To have a family member (or representative of your choice) and your Provider notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
To receive from your provider information concerning your illness or injury, possible treatments and the likely outcome of these treatments in terms you can understand. You may include or exclude family members from hearing this information.
To receive information in a way you understand. This includes interpretation and translation, free of charge, in the language you prefer for talking about your health care. This also includes providing you with needed help if you have vision, speech, hearing or cognitive impairments.
To receive from your provider your diagnosis (es), the treatment you and your provider identified, information about your medication (including the purpose, use, or side effects), the potential outcome of the illness and any instructions required for follow-up care.
To know why you are given various tests and treatments and the risks associated with any procedure or treatment.
To receive from your doctor information concerning your care and condition in terms you can understand. You may include or exclude family members from hearing this information.
To prepare advance directives, and have the hospital staff and others who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.
To know if the hospital or clinic has outside relationships that may influence your treatment and care. Such relationships may be with educational institutions, healthcare providers or insurers.
To choose whether to participate in research efforts, which may affect your care. If you choose not to participate, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.
To be told of reasonable alternatives for your care when acute inpatient hospital care is no longer appropriate.
To be informed of hospital or clinic rules which may affect you and your treatment.
To voice concerns in verbal or written format, without fear of discrimination or reprisal, and to have those complaints reviewed and resolved in a timely manner when possible. Patients or their loved ones may contact the manager of the department where care is received, or our Patient Relations Coordinator at 360-814-8248.

Treatment

To have reasonable access to health care services without consideration of age, race, color, culture, creed, ethnicity, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran or military status, source of payment or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
To receive care in a safe setting, free from abuse or harassment.
To be treated with dignity, respect and compassion in person, over the telephone and in written communication.
To refuse or change your mind about any treatment, medications or procedure and to be informed of the medical consequences of such action.
To appoint a surrogate to make health care decisions, as permitted by law.
To be shown consideration for your personal privacy. The hospital, clinics, your provider and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.
To be free from any form of restraint, whether physical or pharmaceutical, that is not medically indicated.
To have your pain addressed and appropriately managed.
To be involved in care planning and treatment.
To access protective and advocacy services.
To follow your spiritual and religious belief and customs as much as possible.
To have a person of the same gender with you during certain exams and treatments.
To refuse to see or talk with anyone who is not directly involved in your care.

Visitation

To choose who may and may not visit you, including but not limited to a spouse, civil union partner, domestic partner (including same sex partner), another family member or a friend.
To designate a support person or representative.
To have individuals designated by the patient as a visitor, support person or representative not be restricted, limited or denied visitation privileges based on age, race, color, culture, creed, ethnicity, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran or military status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Compliance

To be seen in a timely manner when you arrive for your appointment.

Billing Information

To receive an explanation of your medical bill, regardless of the source of payment and to receive information or be advised of the availability of any sources of financial assistance.

Medical Records

To access the information contained in your medical record and receive, on request and at a fee established by the State of Washington, a copy of your medical record except as limited by the law.

Confidentiality

To have all records pertaining to treatment be confidential, except as provided by law or third party contractual agreements.
To request information NOT be shared with health care plan/insurance when visit is paid in full out of pocket.

Patients may contact:

Skagit Regional Health
P.O. Box 1376
1415 East Kincaid
Mount Vernon, WA 98273-1376
HOTLINE: 360-814-8248
EMAIL: [email protected]

DNV Healthcare, Inc.
400 Techne Center Drive, Suite 350
Milford, OH 45150
Phone: 866-523-6842

Washington State Department of Health, 800-633-6828
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 800-336-6016

Patient Responsibilities

As our patient, you have the responsibility:

Treatment

To provide accurate and complete information to the best of your knowledge concerning your present symptoms, past medical history, hospitalizations, medications, advance directives and other matters relating to your health.

Communication

To make it known if you do or do not understand the planned course of medical treatment and what is expected of you.
To ask questions when you do not fully understand your health problems and the plan of care.
To fully participate in decisions involving your own health and accept the consequences of these decisions.
To tell your provider if you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment.
To provide a copy of your advance directive, if applicable.

Compliance

To keep appointments and to notify the appropriate department or provider’s office at least 24 hours prior to your appointment when unable to do so.
To be on time for appointments.
To follow the treatment plan agreed upon with your provider, including the instructions of clinical assistants and other health care professionals, and accept responsibility if you do not follow the treatment or care plan.
To follow our facility policies and procedures.
To be considerate of the rights and property of other patients and facility personnel.
To treat other patients, staff and providers with respect in person, over the telephone and in written communication.
To comply with Skagit Regional Health’s no smoking policy.

Payment

To make all co-payments when due at the time of service.
To present your health insurance identification card whenever you need medical care.
To understand your insurance coverage and to resolve issues that may arise with your insurance company.
To pay your bill or make arrangements for payment.

Copies of this document are available upon request, and in the following languages: English, Spanish and Russian.