Effective health care requires a partnership between patients,
physicians and other healthcare professionals. Open and honest
communication, respect for personal and professional values, and
sensitivity to differences are important to good patient care. McDonald
Army Health Center strives to provide a foundation for understanding and
respecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, families,
physicians, and other caregivers. The hospital seeks to ensure a health
care ethic that respects the role of patients in making decisions about
treatment choices and other aspects of their care.
Patient Rights
As a patient at McDonald Army Health Center you (or your agent) have the
right to:
- Considerate and respectful services
- Current and complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and
the expected results
- Assessment and effective management of pain
- Know which doctor or health care provider is primarily responsible
for your care
- Consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout
your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will
receive other needed and available care. (Procedures for active-duty
personnel to decline treatment are governed by Army Regulation 600-20,
Paragraph 5-4)
- Have an Advance Directive, such as a Living Will. This document
expresses your choices about your future care or names someone to speak
for you when you cannot. If you have a written advance directive, you
should provide a copy to the hospital, your family and your doctor
- Privacy, including the right to request a chaperone. The hospital,
your doctor, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much
as possible
- Confidentiality. Expect that treatment records are confidential
unless you have given permission to release the information, or that it
is part of a report that is required or permitted by law.
Confidentiality is also stressed when records are released to third
party agencies such as insurers. (Medical record information is released
only in accordance with Army Regulation 40-66, Chapter 2)
- Expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to
the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be
recommended or requested, and you will be informed of risks, benefits,
and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other
institution agrees to accept you.
- Know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that
may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with
education institutions or other health care providers or insurers
- Be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no
longer needed
- Consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If
you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care
the hospital otherwise provides
- Initiate a complaint regarding the quality of your care, expecting
to have it reviewed and resolved or explained. You have the right to
know about hospital resources, such as patient advocates or ethics
committees that can help you resolve problems and questions about your
hospital stay and care
- Be informed of hospital policies and regulations that affect you and
your treatment and about charges and payment methods
Patient Responsibilities
As a patient at McDonald Army Health Center you are responsible for:
- Responding to hospital employees in a considerate and respectful
manner
- Providing complete and accurate information regarding your health
and medical condition. This includes past illnesses, hospital stays, and
the use of medications
- Asking questions when you do not understand information or
instructions. If you believe you can't follow through with your
treatment you are responsible for telling your doctor
- Full disclosure of any and all health and liability insurance
policies, and assure that financial obligations for your health care are
fulfilled as promptly as possible
- Furnishing the Patient Administration Division a copy of your
Advanced Directive or Living Will, if one exists
- Informing your health care provider if you do not understand what
he/she is discussing with you
- Advising appropriate staff members of any dissatisfaction you have
with your care at McDonald, and to permit us to modify the outcome, when
possible
- Considering the rights and privacy of others. Help control noise,
prevent smoking in the hospital and limit the number of visitors you
receive at any one time. In addition, if you have a communicable
disease, consider the rights of others
- Respecting the property of other people and of the hospital