All rights, of course, carry with them responsibilities. Your stay, and the outcome of that stay, as well as the rights of other patients, also require that you understand and meet your responsibilities as a patient.

We have developed these rights from the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, issued by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Patient's Self-Determination Act of OBRA, and the hospital's own code.

This document is in no way intended to substitute for legal advice or consultation. It is simply our way of alerting you to our standards, both for you and for us.

Respect and Dignity
Right: You have a right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of your personal dignity. Your race, creed, country of origin, sex, age or ability to pay in no way ever reduces this right to dignity.

In the case of the terminally ill patient, you have the right to optimal comfort and dignity through treatment of symptoms, effective pain management, acknowledgment of psychosocial and spiritual concerns of yourself and your family regarding dying and the expression of grief.

Corresponding Responsibility: You must follow hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

You must also be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and assist in the control of noise, smoking and number of visitors. You must respect the property and persons of others in the hospital.

Any ethical issues you may have should be brought to the attention of your caregivers for discussion and/or resolution.