Patient Rights and Responsibilities

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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

We value respect for the individual, openness, equality and fairness, fiscal responsibility, teamwork, adaptability, and partnerships. We encourage you to play an active role in helping us to meet your needs. You can do this by ensuring that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities as a patient.

As a patient in our facilities, you have the right:

to the best care we can provide with the resources that we have available.
to be cared for by a qualified health care team in a facility that meets safety standards.
to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
to share your views and concerns with our staff and get an appropriate response.
to have your health information and records kept private, except as otherwise provided by law.
to have as much personal privacy as we can reasonably provide.
to ask for information about your health care, and to receive it in terms that you understand.
to ask for other information and services, and to receive an appropriate answer to your request.
to know the position, title, and role of any health care provider who is treating you.
to agree to, or refuse, any procedure or medical treatment, at any time, except as otherwise provided by law.
to leave our facility at any time, even if it is against the advice of your health care team, except as otherwise provided by law.
to agree or refuse to take part in any teaching or research program.
to ask about and be told the consequences of any of these decisions.
to ask about any charges that may be, or are, billed to you that are not covered by a health care plan.

As a patient in our facilities, you also have responsibilities, which include:

to work with your health care team and to follow all safety rules.
to show respect and consideration to our staff, and to other patients and visitors.
to understand that the nature of our facilities, the number of patients that we treat, and the nature of your illness may restrict the amount of personal privacy that we can provide.
to respect the privacy of other patients.
to give your health care team complete and correct information about your health.
to tell your doctor about any changes in your health after you leave our facility.
to keep, or cancel your appointments for your health care.
to follow the directions given by your health care team after you have agreed to treatment.
to tell your health care team if you wish to change any of your decisions.
to pay promptly for hospital charges not covered by a health care plan.

If you have concerns...

We are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about these rights & responsibilities, you should speak to the member of your health care team with whom you are the most comfortable. If you still feel your concerns have not been handled to your satisfaction, you may contact the AHSC Patient Representative at 648-6714, or toll-free 1-888-955-CARE (2273). Voice mail is provided if the Patient Representative is busy at the time of your call.

You also have the right at any time to contact: your family doctor, the office of the provincial Ombudsman, or the office of the Minister of Health & Wellness.

Last Updated: January 18, 2005