Patient Rights and Responsibilities
The employees and medical staff of Emory University Hospital recognize that you are an individual with unique needs and perspectives. The following reflects your rights and responsibilities as we work with you to provide your care.
You have a right to:
- Participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care
- Make informed decisions regarding your care
- Know who is responsible for coordinating your care
- Receive considerate and respectful care
- Ask for and receive complete and understandable information about your condition and care
- Request and/or refuse treatment
- Have access to treatment facilities that are available and medically indicated
- Request auxiliary aids when necessary for effective communication
- Receive respect for your cultural and spiritual beliefs
- Formulate advance directives and expect that hospital staff will honor these directives
- Have a family member or representative of your choice notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
- Have your attending physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
- Have a right to personal privacy
- Receive private and confidential care
- Expect your care to be given with regard to your safety and in a safe setting
- Expect care to be given in an environment free from all forms of abuse or harassment
- Receive an explanation of your bill
- Request information contained in your medical record and expect to receive it within a reasonable time frame
- Expect that confidentiality of information in your medical record will be maintained
- Voice concerns to hospital or medical staff without fear of reprisal or discrimination
- File a formal grievance and receive a written response
- Request assistance for concerns and receive a response from appropriate hospital representatives
- Ask for and receive guidance from the hospital Ethics Committee
- Be free from any restraint or seclusion that is not clinically necessary or necessary in an emergency situation.
- The appropriate management of pain. These rights include assessment, education and pain management.
You have a responsibility to:
- Provide complete and accurate health, medical and insurance information, including an advance directive if you have one
- Ask questions when you are in doubt
- Communicate changes in your health and/or condition to your caregivers
- Follow your caregivers' instructions or discuss with them any obstacles you may have in complying with your prescribed treatment plan
- Accept responsibility for refusing treatment or not following your treatment plan
- Be aware that your right to be involved in your plan of care does not include receiving medically unnecessary treatment
- Meet financial obligations associated with the health care services received
- Show consideration for others around you, including other patients and staff
- Follow all hospital rules affecting patient conduct and care
A copy of this patient rights information is available in each patient's admissions booklet and is posted throughout the hospital. If our staff has been unable to resolve your question or concern, please feel free to call risk management at 404-712-4386, weekdays, or nursing administration at 404-712-7223 after working hours.
