Patient Rights

Corry Memorial Hospital

This hospital provides medical care without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sexual preference, income, education, nationality, ancestry, or who will pay your bill. As our patient. you have the right to safe, respectful, and dignified care at all times. You will receive services and care that are medically suggested and within the hospital’s services, its stated mission, and required law and regulation.

Patients’ Rights

1. Have a family member, another person that you choose, or your doctor notified when you are admitted to the hospital.

2. Receive information in a way that helps you understand your care. This includes translation services, free of charge, if you are not fluent in English or are hearing impaired.

3. Have another approved person, if needed, act on your behalf to assert and protect your patient rights.

4. Limit who knows about your being in the hospital, and to decide if you want visitors or not while you are here. The hospital may need to limit or stop visitors to better care for you or to protect other patients, visitors, and staff.

5. Receive information about your current health, care, outcomes, recovery, ongoing health care needs, and future health status in terms that you understand.

6. Be informed about proposed care options including the risks and benefits, other care options, what could happen without care, and the outcome(s) of any medical care provided, including any

   outcomes that were not expected. You may need to sign your name before the start of any procedure and/or care. “Informed consent” is not required in the case of an emergency.

7. Be involved in all aspects of your care and to take part in decisions about your care.

8. You have the right to make choices about your care based on your own spiritual and personal values.

9. Request care. This right does not mean you can demand care or services that are not medically needed.

10. Refuse any care, therapy, drug, or procedure against the medical advice of a doctor. There may be times that care must be provided based on the law.

11. Expect the hospital to get your permission before taking photos, recording, or filming you, if the purpose is for something other than patient identification, care, diagnosis, or therapy.

12. Decide to take part or not take part in research or clinical trials for your condition that may be suggested by your doctor. Your participation in such care is voluntary, and written permission

    must be obtained from you or your legal representative before you participate. A decision to not take part in research or clinical trials will not affect your right to receive care.

13. Create advance directives, which are legal papers that allow you to decide now what you want to happen if you are no longer healthy enough to make decisions about your care. You have the right to have hospital staff comply with these directives.

14. Ask about and discuss the ethics of your care, including resolving any conflicts that might arise such as, deciding against. withholding, or withdrawing life-sustaining care.

15. Receive a proper medical screening exam to determine treatment.

    health care facility might be required, as well as learning about other options for care. The hospital cannot transfer you to another hospital unless that hospital has agreed to accept you.

16. Receive care in a safe setting free from any form of abuse, harassment. and neglect.

17. Receive kind, respectful, safe, quality care delivered by skilled staff.

18. Know the names of doctors and nurses providing care to you and the names and roles of other health care workers and staff that are caring for you.

19. Request a consultation by another health care provider.

20. Receive proper assessment and management of pain, including the right to request or reject any or all options to relieve pain.

21. Receive care free from restraints or seclusion unless necessary to provide medical, surgical, or behavioral health care.

22. Receive efficient and quality care with high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

23. Be interviewed, examined, and discuss your care in places designed to protect your privacy.

24. Be advised why certain people are present and to ask others to leave during sensitive talks or procedures.

25. Expect all communications and records related to care, including who is paying for your care, to be treated as private.

26. Receive written notice that explains how your personal health information will be used and shared with other health care professionals involved in your care.

27. Review and request copies of your medical record unless restricted for medical or legal reasons.

28. Review, obtain, request, and receive a detailed explanation of your hospital charges and bills.

29. Receive information and counseling on ways to help pay for the hospital bill.

30. Request information about any business or financial arrangements that may impact your care.

31. Tell hospital staff about your concerns or complaints regarding your care. This will not affect your future care.

32. Expect a response to your complaint from the hospital. Complaints may be made in writing or in person. The hospital has a duty to respond to these complaints. To share your concerns with the hospital, please contact the hospital’s Patient Relations Department.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is also available to assist you with any questions or concerns about your hospital care. You can reach the Department of Health by calling (800) 254-5164 or writing:

Acute and Ambulatory Care Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Room 532 Health and Welfare Building
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Please feel free to ask questions about any of these rights that you do not understand. If you have questions about these rights, please discuss them with your doctor or nurse or the hospital’s Patient Relations Department. You will receive a personal response.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient. family member, or guardian, you have the right to know all hospital rules and what we expect of you during your hospital stay.

1. Provide accurate and complete information about current health care problems, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health.

2. Report any condition that puts you at risk (for example, allergies or hearing problems).

3. Report unexpected changes in your condition to the health care professionals taking care of you.

4. Provide a copy of your Advance Directive, Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for health care, and any organ/tissue donation permissions to the health care professionals taking care of you.

5. Recognize and respect the rights of other patients, families, and staff. Threats, violence, or harassment of other patients and hospital staff will not be tolerated.

6. Comply with the hospital’s no smoking policy.

7. Refrain from conducting any illegal activity on hospital property. If such activity occurs, the hospital will report it to the police.

8. Promote your own safety by becoming an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team.

9. Ask questions if you are concerned about your health or safety.

10. Make sure your doctor knows the site/side of the body that will be operated on before a procedure.

11. Remind staff to check your identification before medications are given, blood/blood products are administered, blood samples are taken, or before any procedure.

12. Remind caregivers to wash their hands before taking care of you.

13. Be informed about which medications you are taking and why you are taking them.

14. Ask all hospital staff to identify themselves.

15. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse care or do not follow care instructions.

16. You are responsible for paying for the health care that you received as promptly as possible.

17. You are expected to follow the care plans suggested by the health care professionals caring for you while in the hospital. You should work with your health care professionals to develop a plan that you will be able to follow while in the hospital and after you leave the hospital.

18. Participate in the care that you receive in the hospital.

19. Receive instructions on follow-up care and participate in decisions about your plan of care after you are out of the hospital.

20. Receive a prompt and safe transfer to the care of others when this hospital is not able to meet your request or need for care or service. You have the right to know why a transfer to another