Patient Rights & Responsibilities

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As a patient at Newton Medical Center, you have rights and responsibilities. Our physicians and employees have responsibilities to you as well. We hope you choose to become informed on these issues.

Patient Rights
As a patient you have the right...

To access to the right treatment and available space regardless of your race, creed, sex, national origin or source of payment
To make informed decisions regarding your care... decisions based on a clear explanation of your condition, proposed procedures, any risk of death or serious side effects, possible problems related to your recovery and probability of success
To have as much current information as possible on your diagnosis, treatment and any known outcome from the doctor responsible for your care
To not undergo any procedure unless you or your legally authorized representative give voluntary, competent and understanding consent
To have access to an interpreter if you are unable to speak or understand English
To have your pain assessed and managed
To be able to request treatment
To be able to consent or refuse to participate in clinical training programs or research
To consult with a specialist at your own request
To refuse treatment. If you or your legally authorized representative refuse treatment and will not allow us to care for you according to professional standards, we have the option of ending our relationship with you after reasonable notice
To be able to formulate advance directives and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives
To have a family member or representative of your choice and your own doctor notified of your admission to the hospital in a timely manner
To a complete explanation in advance if you must be transferred to another facility or organization... and be informed of the alternatives to a transfer
To be informed by your doctor about health care required after your discharge from the medical center
To an itemized and detailed explanation of your complete hospital bill, regardless of the source of payment for your care
To be notified in advance if Medicare, Medicaid or any third-party payers contracting with Newton Medical Center will cease paying
To personal privacy
To be interviewed and examined in surroundings that ensure reasonable privacy in every respect, including: having a person of your own sex present during certain stages of a doctor examination, treatment or procedure not remaining disrobed any longer than is required for a specific procedure
To confidentiality of your patient records
To expect that any discussion or consultation in your case will be confidential and that individuals not directly involved in your care will not be present without your permission during the discussion or consultation
To have your medical record read only by individuals directly involved in your care or in monitoring the quality of your care...with other individuals having access to your medical record only if you or your legally authorized representative give written permission
To access information contained in your clinical record within a reasonable time frame
To receive care in a safe setting
To refuse to talk with or see anyone not directly involved in your care
To be placed in protective privacy when considered necessary for your personal safety
To expect reasonable safety as provided by the medical center's practices and environment
To be free from verbal or physical abuse or harassment
To be free from any restraint that is not clinically or medically necessary
To comment on your care and file complaints through various means...and receive information on the outcome of your complaint

Patient Responsibilities
As a patient you are responsible for...

Following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner with primary responsibility for your care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and other health care personnel who carry out doctors' orders and/or plans of care
Notifying the medical center if you are unable to keep appointments for outpatient services
Providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications and other matters concerning your health, and reporting unexpected changes in your condition to the person in charge of your care
Notifying us if you do not understand your course of treatment and what is expected of you
Meeting financial obligations regarding your health care as promptly as possible
Treating other patients and personnel with respect
Providing complete and up-to-date information to NMC so we can meet legal and financial requirements concerning your treatment

If you or your legally authorized representative refuse treatment and will not allow us to care for you according to professional standards, we have the option of ending our relationship with you after reasonable notice.

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