The Patient Care Partnership

High quality hospital care

Our first priority is to provide you the care you need, when you need it, with skill, compassion, and respect. Tell your caregivers if you have concerns about your care or if you have pain. You have the right to know the identity of doctors, nurses, and others involved in your care, including when they are students, residents, or other trainees.

A clean and safe environment

Our hospital works hard to keep you safe. We use special policies and procedures to avoid mistakes in your care and keep you free from abuse and/or neglect. If anything unexpected or significant happens during your hospital stay, you will be told what happened, and any resulting changes in your care will be discussed with you.

Involvement in your care

You and your doctor often make decisions about your care before you go to the hospital. Other times, especially in emergencies, those decisions are made during your hospital stay. When decision-making takes place, it should include discussing your medical condition and     information about medically appropriate    treatment choices.

To make informed decisions with your doctor, you need to understand:

• The benefits and risks of each treatment,
• What you can reasonably expect from your treatment and any long-term effects it might have on your quality of life,
  
• What you and your family will need to do after you leave the hospital,
• The financial consequences of using uncovered services or out-of-network providers.
  

Please tell your caregivers if you need more information about treatment choices.

Discussing your treatment plan

When you enter the hospital, you sign a general consent for treatment. This process protects your right to consent to or refuse a treatment. Your doctor will explain the medical consequences of refusing recommended treatment.

Your caregivers need complete and correct information about your health and coverage so they can make good decisions about your care. That includes:

• Past illnesses, surgeries or hospital stays,
• Past allergic reactions,
• Any medicines or dietary supplements (such as vitamins and herbs) that you are taking.

 

Understanding your health care goals and values

You may have health care goals and values or spiritual beliefs that are important to your well-being. They will be taken into account as much as possible throughout your hospital stay. Make sure your doctor, your family, and your care team know your wishes.

 

Understanding who should make decisions when you cannot

If you have signed a health care power of attorney stating who should speak for you if you become unable to make health care decisions for yourself, or a “living will” or “advance directive” that states your wishes about end-of-life care, give copies to your doctor, your family, and your care team. If you or your family need help making difficult decisions, counselors, chaplains, and others are available to help.

Your doctor works with hospital staff and your care team. You and your family play an important role in your care. The success of your treatment often depends on your efforts to follow medication, diet, and therapy plans. Your family may need to help care for you at home.

You can expect us to help you identify sources of follow-up care. As long as you agree that we can share information about your care with them, we will coordinate our activities with your caregivers outside the hospital. You can also expect to receive information and, where possible, training about the self-care you will need when you go home.

Our staff will help with your claims or insurances such as Medicare and Medicaid. Hospital bills and insurance coverage are often confusing. If you have questions about your bill, contact our business office. If you need help understanding your insurance coverage or health plan, contact your insurance company or health benefits manager. If you do not have health coverage, we will try to help you and your family find financial help or make other arrangements. We need your help with collecting needed information and other requirements to obtain coverage or assistance.

We are partners with you for all your health care needs.