Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Providence Hospital, its medical staff, associates and volunteers jointly affirm and recognize the following rights and responsibilities of patients.

1. In recognition of their human dignity, all patients have a right to equitable, quality care at all times.

2. All patients have the right to choose what medical treatment they do or do not want and be informed of the medical consequences.

3. All patients have the right to appoint someone to make medical decisions for them, if in the future they cannot make those decisions themselves.

4. All patients can make decisions about their care known by telling family, friends, doctor, nurse or others, or by putting their directions in writing. These decisions can change at any time.

5. All patients have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to their care will be maintained with confidentiality and security.

6. All patients have the right of respect for their religious and cultural practices.

7. All patients have the right to know who is on their health care team.

8. All patients have the right to decide whether they want to participate as a subject in experimental or educational treatment programs.

9. All patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of their bill, regardless of the source of payment. Patients in turn have the responsibility to provide information necessary for claim processing and to be prompt in payment of their bills.

10. All patients have the right to know the rules and regulations that apply to patient care and conduct, and are responsible for following those rules and regulations.

11. All patients have a right to receive an explanation of their treatment program, and to ask for further clarification if the course of treatment is not understood. Patients have the responsibility to cooperate in their treatment program.

12. All patients are responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel, and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors.

13. All patients have the right to privacy.

14. All patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.

15. All patients have the right to obtain from their physician current information about their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms they can understand.

16. All patients have the right to receive from their physician information to give informed consent prior to a procedure.

17. All patients are responsible for their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions.

18. All patients are responsible for providing accurate information to the best of their ability about medications, past illnesses, hospitalizations, and other matters related to their health.

19. Patients have the right to request assistance when English is not their primary language, or visual, hearing or expressive impairments prevent effective communication during their hospital stay.

20. Patients have the right to be free from mental or physical abuse. Restraints will only be used when absolutely necessary and as a safety measure.

The medical staff and the associates of Providence Hospital are committed to treat their patients with joy, care and respect, recognizing their needs and wishes, and satisfying them to the extent possible. Providence Hospital is committed to following the Ethical and Religious Directives for Healthcare.

If patients feel they are not being treated fairly or their rights have been violated, they are encouraged to contact Patient Relations during regular business hours at (202) 448-4025. After regular business hours, patients may call the Hospital Operator on (202) 269-7000 and request to have the Administrative Supervisor paged for assistance.

Patients are encouraged to call the 24-hour direct line to share patient care concerns, comments, suggestions and compliments. Calls will be addressed in a timely manner.

Patients are also advised that they have the right to report any safety issues or complaints not addressed by hospital administration to:

The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH)
Office of Health Regulation Administration
825 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5833
or
The Joint Commission
Office of Quality Monitoring
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
1(800) 994-6610
Email: complaint@jointcommission.org

To share concerns or complaints regarding physicians, patients can either write or call:

Office of Medical Affairs
Providence Hospital
1150 Varnum Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 448-4025
or
Department of Professional Standards
Medical Society of DC
2175 K Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-1800