We hope this statement will help you better understand both your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient. The staff at Artesia General Hospital wishes you well, and thanks you for choosing our hospital. It is our privilege to serve you and your family. For additional information regarding your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient, please contact our Quality Management Office at 575-736-8106.

AGH is committed to meeting your needs as our patient. We are committed to providing the best care available, to respecting your rights, and to helping you recognize your responsibilities as a patient. You should be an active participant in your health care. To do this, it is important that you understand your Rights and Responsibilities.

Your Rights as a Patient

CARE - You have the right to:

• receive appropriate hospital care, regardless of your race, creed, color, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, gender, national origin, age, disability or source of payment
• receive respectful, considerate, and courteous care at all times, including recognition of your individuality
• respect for your personal privacy
• respect for your individual religious, cultural and spiritual beliefs, and be allowed to practice them to the extent that others are not disturbed
• be free from all forms of abuse, including physical or verbal abuse, harassment and inappropriate physical and chemical restraints
• confidentiality of your clinical records, including all computerized medical information
• participate in resolving ethical conflicts with an Ethics Committee available as resource
• formulate advance directives and have hospital staff and practitioners comply with these directives
• have the opportunity to participate to the fullest extent possible in your care and treatment
• expect prompt, personal action in expressing a need or concern
• designate who may permitted to visit during the hospital stay, in accordance to the hospital’s policy
• be transferred safely to another facility only with a full explanation of the reason for the transfer, provision for continuing care, and acceptance by the receiving institution, except in emergencies
• be informed in writing, about the hospital’s policies and procedures for initiating, reviewing and resolving patient complaints, including the address where complaints may be filed, and expect written follow-up regarding formal complaints within seven (7) days
• the attention of an Administrator in resolving a complaint regarding your care, if requested
• receive care in a safe setting
• receive a copy of the Patient Rights and Responsibilities

INFORMATION – You have the right to:

• access or permit access to an authorized person, in writing, to information contained in your clinical records, within a reasonable time frame
• information on the formulation of advance health care directives
• information on organ, bone, and tissue donation
• know the names and titles of your Doctors and others who care for you
• receive an explanation from your Doctor about your condition, the course of your treatment, and the expected prognosis for recovery
• ask questions until you are comfortable that you understand any issue regarding your diagnosis or care, explanation of any procedure, including a surgical operation and its risks and consequences, and available alternatives
• examine your bill
• regardless of your source of payment, receive an explanation of all charges, an estimate of your hospital charges, an estimate of your insurance benefits, and assistance in securing help to pay your Hospital bill upon request
• have a family member or representative of your choice, and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the Hospital

DECISION MAKING – You have the right to:

• obtain all information necessary to give informed consent before the start of any treatment or procedure or participation in research or experimentation
• make decisions regarding your care and select a representative to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so
• participate in decisions regarding your care, including the formulation of advance health care directives
• refuse treatment or leave the Hospital against your Doctor’s advice to the extent permitted by law, and be informed of the medical consequences of the refusal
• participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

CARE – You have the responsibility to:

• follow the instructions of your Doctor and other staff, and cooperate with your treatment
• assume the responsibility for your actions if you refuse treatment, or do not follow your Doctor’s instructions
• ask for further information if you do not understand your condition or treatment
• participate in educational sessions related to your condition or treatment
• be considerate and respectful of other patients, staff and property
• follow rules established by the Hospital
• assure that payment for services is arranged as promptly as possible
• provide accurate demographic and billing information

INFORMATION – You have the responsibility to:

• be honest and direct about everything that relates to you as a patient
• give your Doctor accurate and complete information about your present complaints, medical history, and other matters related to your health
• let your Doctor know whether or not you clearly understand the nature of your illness or injury, and the intended course of treatment