Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Slidell Memorial Hospital shall provide access to treatment or accommodations that are available or medically indicated, regardless of race, age, religion/spiritual preference, national origin, cultural background, sex, sexual preferences, physical impairment(s), mental impairment, diagnosis, the ability to pay or source of payment.

Overview of Patient Rights

To the extent permitted by law, hospital policy or medical concerns, the patient has the right to:

  • Reasonable access to care
  • Considerate, respectful and competent care, without discrimination, in a safe and secure environment
  • Information about the assessment and effective management of pain
  • Information concerning diagnosis, treatment and prognosis
  • Information about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes
  • Be informed, in understandable language, and to give consent
  • Designate a decision maker should a patient be unable to understand or communicate his/her wishes regarding care
  • Know the identity of physicians, nurses and others involved in his/her care
  • Refuse care
  • Make informed medical choices
  • Have an advance medical directive
  • Have unique personal needs met, to the degree possible, at the end of life
  • Donate organs
  • Privacy and confidentiality for his/her medical information except in cases when reporting is permitted or required by law
  • Review and request an amendment to the medical record
  • Receive emergency care
  • Be informed of any significant changes
  • Be informed of any business relationships among the hospital, educational institutions, other healthcare providers or payers
  • Consent to decline to participate in medical research or experiments
  • Continuity of care
  • Choose who to communicate with and to communicate privately
  • Sensitivity to cultural and spiritual beliefs
  • Participate in activities
  • Use personal clothing and possessions as long as it does not interfere with his/her care
  • Be informed of resources available to resolve disputes and grievances
  • Be informed of the hospital's charges for services and available payment methods
  • Access to protective services

Overview of Patient's Responsibilities

The collaborative nature of healthcare requires that patients or their families/surrogates participate in their care. The effectiveness of care and patient satisfaction with the course of treatment depends, in part, on the patient fulfilling certain responsibilities. The patient has a responsibility to:

  • Provide accurate and complete information
  • Report any unexpected changes
  • Inform the nurse and/or doctor of any pain
  • Ask questions when information is not understood
  • Follow instructions regarding the care, service or treatment plan developed
  • Follow the rules and regulations of the hospital
  • Show respect and consideration of the hospital's personnel and property
  • Promptly meet financial obligations agreed to with the hospital
  • Make healthy lifestyle decisions
  • Remain under the care of a physician