Patient's Bill of Rights

H.E.A.L. Mississippi fully supports and advocates a Patient Bill of Rights with the expectation that observance of these rights will contribute to more effective patient care and greater satisfaction for the patient, his or her provider, and H.E.A.L. Mississippi’s organization.

A patient has the right to respectful, good high-quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed and given by competent personnel.

A patient has the right, upon request, to be given the name of his/her provider, the names of all other providers directly participating in his/her care, and the names and function of other health care persons having direct contact with the patient.

A patient has the right to every consideration of his/her privacy concerning his/her own health care program. All medical records pertaining to his/her health care are treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third-party contractual arrangements. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are considered confidential and should be conducted discreetly.

A patient has the right to know what H.E.A.L. Mississippi rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.

1. The patient has the right to full information in layman’s terms, concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information shall be given on his behalf to the patient’s next of kin or appropriate person.
2. The patient has the right to full participation in his/her health care plan and will be encouraged to do so whenever possible, including appropriate assessment and management of pain.
3. Except for emergencies, the health care provider must obtain the necessary consent prior to the start of any procedure or treatment, or both.
4. A patient has the right to refuse any drugs, treatment, or procedure offered by the physician, to the extent permitted by law, and the physician shall inform the patient of the medical consequences of the patient’s refusal of any drugs, treatment, or procedure.
5. A patient has the right to assistance in obtaining consultation with another provider at his/her request and expense.
6. A patient has the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, or source of payment.
7. The patient who does not speak English should have access, where possible, to an interpreter.
8. H.E.A.L. Mississippi shall provide the patient, upon request, with access to all information contained in his/her medical records, unless the attending provider specifically restricts access for medical reasons or is prohibited by law.
9. The patient has the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of his/her bill and full information and counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his health care.
10. The patient has the right to be informed of his continuing health care requirements and the means for meeting them.
11. The patient cannot be denied the right of access to an individual or agency authorized to act on his behalf to assert or protect the rights set out in this section.
12. The patient has the right to every consideration of the spiritual and cultural variable, which may influence his/her perception of illness and treatment, and to have his/her continuing psychosocial needs considered in planning care and treatment.
13. The patient has the right to consult the Medical Director to resolve conflicts in decision making concerning his/her care.
14. The patient has the right to execute an advanced medical directive and to expect that it will receive maximal consideration to the extent permitted by law.
15. The patient has the right to expect that his/her guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person will be able to exercise all the rights delineated on behalf of the patient in the following circumstances: a.) if the patient has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law b.) if the patient is found by his/her provider to be mentally incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure c.) if the patient is unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment if the patient is a minor.
16. A patient has the right to be informed of his/her rights at the earliest possible moment during his medical care.

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Patient responsibilities:

• Just as H.E.A.L. Mississippi strongly believes in patient rights, we also equally recognize that patients should exercise responsibility in receiving their health care services. Here is a list of Patient Responsibilities:
• Provision of Information
  • The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner responsible for his/her care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and other health care personnel as they carry out the plan of care, implement the responsible practitioner’s orders, and enforce the rules and regulations of H.E.A.L. Mississippi. The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when unable to do so for any reason, for notifying a H.E.A.L. Mississippi staff member.
• Refusal of Treatment
  • The patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner’s instructions.
• Financial Responsibility
  • The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• Rules and Regulations
  • The patient is responsible for following H.E.A.L. Mississippi rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
• Respect and Consideration
  • The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and H.E.A.L. Mississippi staff. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of H.E.A.L. Mississippi.