Patients Rights & Responsibilities

George Regional Hospital has established written policies and procedures regarding the rights and responsibilities of its patients. These policies and procedures are available to patients, to any guardian, next of kin, sponsoring agency, or representative payee of each individual patient. Copies of these policies and procedures can be made available to the public, upon request, and are posted throughout the facility. The facility administrator is responsible for development, adherence and implementation of these policies and to make sure the staff of the facility are trained and involved in the implementation of these policies and procedures.

1. Each patient has the right to reasonable access to care and services based on the individual’s need for services, and in accordance with the hospital’s mission, including matters of conscience, and applicable laws and regulations, regardless of race, sex, religion, disability or manner of payment.
2. Each patient has the right to have a family member or representative notified and their physician notified on admission, if not aware, at the patient’s request.
3. Each patient has the right to accept medical care or to refuse medical treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal.
4. Each patient has the right to have informed consent for surgery or treatment.
5. Each patient has the right to request and receive an itemized explanation of your total charges for the services rendered in the facility regardless of source of payment.
6. Each patient has the right to financial counseling.
7. Each patient has the right to be fully informed by a physician, of his/her medical condition unless medically contraindicated (as documented be a physician in his/her medical record) and is afforded the opportunity to participate in the planning of his/her medical treatment and to refuse to participate in experimental research.
8. Each patient and/or patient representative has the right to be fully informed (in advance), in a language that he or she can understand, of their total health status, including but not limited to their medical condition, about the care and treatment and any changes in that care or treatment that may affect the patient’s well being.
9. Each patient has the right to make informed decisions regarding discharge planning and receive information regarding discharge and follow-up care.
10. Each patient has the right to have advanced notice and make informed decisions regarding transfer or discharge.
11. Each patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to you and to know the physician or any other practitioner who is primarily responsible for your care.
12. Each patient has the right to considerate and respectful care including consideration of your psychological, spiritual, and cultural needs.
13. Each patient has the right to take part in all ethical decisions regarding their care.
14. Each patient has the right to the appropriate assessment and management of pain.
15. Each patient has the right to have issues related to care at the end of life addressed with sensitivity.
16. Each patient has the right to formulate an advance directive, if they so desire.
17. Each patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting, free from any form of abuse or harassment and free from unnecessary chemical and physical restraints and seclusion except as authorized in writing by a physician for specified and limited period of time. Restraints can be used only to protect the patient from injury to him/her or to others, to treat a patient’s medical symptoms or to assist the patient to their highest level of independent functioning.
18. Each patient is assured of confidential treatment, within the limits of the law, of his/her personal and clinical reports and may approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in cases of the patient’s transfer to another health care facility, or as required by law or third party payment contact.
19. Each patient has the right to reasonable access to information contained in his/her medical record within the limit of the law and GRHS policy.
20. Each patient has the right to personal privacy. GRHS has defined personal privacy to include accommodations, medical treatment, written and telephone communications, personal care, and visits.
21. Each patient has the right to unrestricted access to communication, visitors, mail, telephone calls, unless clinically or legally contraindicated. Any restrictions are fully explained to the patient. The patient also has the right to refuse to accept visitors at any time. The patient or patient representative may request to be excluded from the hospital directory.
22. The patient’s authorized responsible person, determined by verbal authorization or legal documentation, will have the authority permitted by law to exercise the rights delineated on behalf of the patient if:
    • the patient has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law.
    • is found by his/her primary physician to lack the ability to understand the benefits, risk and alternatives to proposed health care and make and communicate a decision.
    • is a minor.
23. Each patient may retain and use his/her personal clothing and possessions as space permits, unless medically contraindicated (as documented by a physician in the medical record).
24. Each patient has the right to be informed of his/her rights in writing and are entitled to information about the process of initiation, review and resolution of complaints and grievances. We encourage you to communicate concerns about any aspect of your care with any member of the hospital staff. If you are not satisfied with the action taken, you may bring it to the attention of the GRHS Administrator.

You may also address your concerns by calling:

• Mississippi State Department of Licensure at 1-800-227-7308
• Medicare Information and Quality Healthcare at 1-800-633-4227