Patient Bill of Rights

1. You have the right to considerate and respectful care in a safe setting.
2. You have the right to know the name and title of your caregivers at all times.
3. You have the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
4. You have the right to be well-informed about your illness, possible treatments, likely and unforeseen outcomes, and to discuss this information with your doctor.
5. You have the right to receive information in a manner understandable to you.
6. You have the right to consent to or refuse any treatment, as permitted by law.
7. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.
8. You have the right to have your pain assessed and managed appropriately.
9. You have the right to be free from restraints and seclusion of any form that are not medically necessary.
10. You have the right to receive compassionate care that respects your personal, spiritual, cultural and religious values and beliefs.
11. You have the right to have Nason Medical Center promptly notify a family member or representative and your physician of your admission to our facility.
12. You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself. If you have a written advance directive, you should provide a copy to us, your family and your doctor.
13. You have the right to privacy. Nason Medical Center will protect your privacy as much as possible.
14. You have the right to expect that treatment records be kept confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When Nason Medical Center releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that those records are confidential.
15. You have the right to review your medical records and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.
16. You have the right to expect that Nason Medical Center will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of the risks, benefits and alternatives.
17. You have the right to know if Nason Medical Center has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care facilities or providers.
18. You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
19. You have the right to know about Nason Medical Center rules that affect you and your treatment, and about charges and payment methods.
20. You have the right to review your bill, have the information explained to you and get a copy of the bill.
21. You have the right to know about Nason Medical Center resources such as patient complaint and grievance processes that can help you promptly resolve problems and questions about your visit and care.
22. You have the right to lodge a grievance with the State agency directly, whether or not you first use our grievance process. You may call S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control at 1(800) 922-6735 or write them at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. In addition, you may contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints regarding patient care or safety at a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1(800) 994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jointcommission.org.

Patient Responsibilities

You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use of medicine.

You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.

If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.

Nason Medical Center works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients and staff. You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with us to arrange payment when needed.

Your health depends not just on your care but, in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effects of lifestyle on your personal health.