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

Pediatric Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

"I (and my Parents/Family/Guardian) have the right to..."

Be called by name.
Receive a smile and loving care.
Be given careful evaluation, and courteous, prompt treatment.
Know the names of my doctors; my nurses, and any others who help care for me.
Have my basic needs met – to be clean, dry, comfortable, and without restraints whenever possible.
Have as normal a schedule as possible – uninterrupted sleep, quiet time, playtime, school, and the comfort of my parents and members of my family; have the schedule designed for my convenience as much as possible. (Sometimes schedules do not permit this, and I understand that this can occur.)
Make choices whenever possible when they do not interfere with the quality of my care.
Cry and make noise, or object to anything that hurts me.
Have my parents with me anytime that they are able to stay as long as it doesn’t interfere with my care.
Have an interpreter for my family and me, if needed.
Be told what’s happening to me, and have my questions answered honestly, in words I can understand.
Have confidentiality about my illness.
Have access to an ethical review.
Have information on rights and responsibilities, and the mechanisms of initiation, review, and resolution of concerns, complaints, or 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

Understand that doctors will be professionally discussing my situation so that that I can get the best care. Sometimes these discussions will take place over my bed, in my room, or in the hallway. My parents and/or I have the right to know what’s happening whenever possible.
Be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible without harm to my health.

"I (and my Parents/Family/Guardian) am responsible for"

Giving information about my health.
Reporting changes in my condition. Report safety concerns or any perceived risk.
Telling those who care for me when I do not understand the plan of care or what is expected of me.
Following my plan of treatment.
Knowing the consequences if I choose not to follow my plan of treatment
Knowing that if I refuse treatment, the outcome is my responsibility.
Following Berger Health System rules about patient care and conduct.
Being considerate of the rights of other patients and staff.
Helping control noise, smoking, and distractions.
Respecting the property of others and of Berger Health System.