Any individual who has concerns about patient care or safety in the organization is encouraged to contact the organization's management at 617.414.4970.
Rights
You have the right:
- To a prompt and adequate response to reasonable requests and needs for treatment or service within BMC's capacity.
- To prompt life-saving treatment in an emergency without discrimination on account of economic status or source of payment.
- To considerate and respectful care.
- To accept or refuse to be examined, observed or treated by students or any other Hospital staff without jeopardizing access to psychiatric, psychological or other medical care or attention.
- To provide or receive assistance to execute a Health Care Proxy pursuant to law.
- To informed consent to the extent provided by law.
- Upon request, to obtain from the Hospital the name and specialty, if any, of the physician or other person responsible for his or her care or the coordination of such care.
- Upon admission, to information about the Hospital's policy regarding patient rights and responsibilities.
- Upon request, to receive any information that the Hospital has available relative to financial assistance and free health care.
- Upon request, to obtain an explanation as to the relationship, if any, of the Hospital, or any physician practicing at the Hospital, to any other health care facility or educational institution, insofar as said relationship relates to the patient's care or treatment.
- To refuse to serve as a research subject or to refuse to accept any care or examination when the primary purpose is educational or informational rather than therapeutic.
- To privacy during medical treatment or other rendering of care within the Hospital's capacity.
- To confidentiality of records and communications, as prescribed by law.
- Upon request, to inspect his or her medical record and to receive a copy thereof, as prescribed by law.
- Upon request, to receive a copy of any itemized Hospital bill or other statement of charges submitted to a third party for the patient's care.
- To complete information on all medically viable alternative treatments in the case of patients suffering from breast cancer.
- Except in cases of emergency surgery, at least 10 days prior to an operation for breast implant, to receive information regarding the risks and disadvantages associated with breast implantations.
- At the time of pre-admission, each maternity patient shall receive complete statistics on the Hospital's deliveries by cesarean section, nurse-midwife deliveries, deliveries in birthing and delivery rooms, pre-natal monitoring, induction, various delivery procedures, anesthesia and the percentage of patients who breast-feed.
- To appropriate assessment and management of pain
Responsibilities
You have the responsibility:
- To keep appointments, or telephone the Hospital when you cannot keep a scheduled appointment.
- To provide to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, advance directives and other matters relevant to health or care.
- To inform the Hospital promptly if you do not understand any matter relating to your care and treatment or instructions with which you cannot comply.
- To be considerate of other patients and to see that your visitors are considerate, particularly with reference to noise (visiting regulations have been established to ensure the rights and comfort of all patients and must be followed).
- To observe the Hospital's smoke-free policy.
- To abide by the Hospital's rules and regulations.
- To provide the Hospital with necessary information regarding coverage of your hospital charges.
- For your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow your practitioner's instructions.