Berger Health System - Caring for you, Caring for our Community

Our Medical Staff

Patient and Visitor Information

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

"Every patient has the right to..."

Competent, respectful, and hospitable care regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, source of payment for care, or psychological and spiritual variables.
Formulate Advance Directives, which include a Durable Power of Attorney for health care, Living Will, Do Not Resuscitate Program, as well as participate in the consideration of ethical care issues.
Receive information from his/her physician regarding his/her diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and have his/her personal physician notified of their admission.
Participate actively in his/her care plan, including pain management, through direct discussion with physicians and nursing staff.
Effective pain management including information about pain, pain relief measures, an explanation of potential limitations and side effects of pain treatment.
Accept or refuse medical care or treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusal.
Refuse to participate in experimentation or research/educational projects.
Expect physicians and staff to maintain confidentiality of medical records, information pertaining to their care, and respect for their privacy and dignity.
Know the name and position of caregivers. Physicians and staff introduce themselves and wear name badges.
Receive a copy and assistance of interpreting his/her hospital bill.
Access people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by verbal and written education.
Effective communication and request communication assistance if sensory-impaired or non-English speaking.
Comfort and dignity in terminal situations, effective pain management, and assistance of patient and family through grieving processes.
Pastoral or other spiritual care.
Reasonably safe and secure environment free of physical, mental, verbal, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harassment.
Be free of restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.
Access, request amendment to, and receive an accounting of disclosures regarding, his/her own health information.
Information on rights and responsibilities, and mechanisms of initiation, review, and resolution of concerns, complaints, or grievances. To register concerns/grievances.

To register concerns/grievances contact the Patient Representative or Patient Care Coordinator. If the facility is not able to bring resolution to your patient quality or safety concern you may contact:
Contact CMS (Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services) - Telephone: 1-800-342-0553
Contact The Joint Commission - Telephone: 1-800-994-6610 or complaint@jointcommision.org

Wear appropriate personal clothing, religious or other symbolic items, without interference of diagnostic procedures or treatment.
Have a person of one's own sex present during certain parts of physical exam, treatment, or procedure performed by a health professional of the opposite sex, and not to remain disrobed any longer than required for accomplishing the medical purpose.
Give permission for the presence of individuals not directly involved in his/her care. Give consent for video or electronic monitoring or recording.
Request a transfer to another room if another patient or visitors are unreasonably disturbing him/her.
Be placed in protective privacy when considered necessary for personal safety.
Access protective or advocacy services.
Appeal denial or care or premature discharge.

"Every patient is responsible for..."

Providing information to physicians and staff regarding present illness, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medication, and other personal health care matters.
Asking questions about directions, procedures, and other information they don't understand.
Cooperating with physicians and caregivers in his/her plan of care.
Consideration and respect for others, hospital staff, and property and abide by hospital rules/regulations.
Notifying his/her nurse prior to leaving his/her room.
Reporting any changes in his/her condition to physician or caregivers.
Accept the consequences of not following the prescribed plan of care.
To report any safety concern or perceived risks.
After discharge, keeping all scheduled appointments and giving a 24-hour cancellation notice if unavoidable.
Providing all required information for insurance processing and assuring financial healthcare obligations are met.