Jersey Community Hospital and Medical Staff have adopted the following statement of patient rights. This list shall include but not be limited to the Patients Right To:

• Become informed of his or her rights as a patient in advance of, or when discontinuing the provision of care. The patient may appoint a representative to receive this information should he or she desire.
• Exercise these rights without regard to sex or cultural, economic, educational or religious background or the source of payment for care.
• Considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe, secure environment, free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• Appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• Remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
• Knowledge of the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating his/her care and the names and professional relationship of other physicians and healthcare providers who will see him/her.
• Receive information from his/her physician about his/her illness, course of treatment, outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes) and his/her prospects for recovery in terms that he/she can understand.
• To expect the hospital to demonstrate respect for the following patient needs: confidentiality, privacy, security, resolution of complaints, pastoral care and other spiritual services and communication.
• Receive as much information about any proposed treatment or as you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse the course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in the treatment, alternate course of treatment or non-treatment and the risks involved in each and to know the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment.
• Participate in the development and implementation of his or her plan of care and actively participate in decisions regarding his/her medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to request and/or refuse treatment.
• Formulate advance directives regarding his or her healthcare and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives (to the extent provided by state laws and regulations). Also, to request the withholding or removal of life-sustaining treatments and/or resuscitative efforts.
• Have a family member or representative of his or her choice notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.
• Full consideration of privacy concerning his/her medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. The patient has the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual involved in his or her healthcare.
• Confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to his/her care and his/her stay in the hospital. His/her written permission will be obtained before his/her medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with his/her care.
• Access information contained in his or her medical record within a reasonable time frame (usually 48 hours of request).
• Reasonable responses to any reasonable request he/she may make for service.
• Leave the hospital even against the advice of his/her physician.
• Reasonable continuity of care.
• Be advised of the hospital grievance process, should he or she wish to communicate a concern regarding the quality of the care he or she receives or if he or she feels determined discharge data is premature. Notification of the grievance process includes:whom to contact to file a grievance, and that he or she will be provided with a written notice of the grievance determination that contains the name of the hospital contact person, the steps taken on his or her behalf to investigate the grievance, the results of the grievance and the grievance completion date.
• Be advised if the hospital/personal physician proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his/her care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
• Be informed by his/her physician or a delegate of his/her physician of the continuing healthcare requirements following his/her discharge from the hospital.
• Examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of the source of payment.
• Know which hospital rules and policies apply to his/her conduct while a patient.
• Have all patient’s rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on behalf of the patient.

All hospital personnel, medical staff, and contracted agency personnel performing patient care activities shall observe these patients’ rights.

Patient Responsibilities

The care a patient receives depends partially on the patient himself. Therefore, in addition to these rights, a patient has certain responsibilities as well. These responsibilities should be presented to the patient in the spirit of mutual trust and respect:

• The patient has the responsibility to provide accurate and complete information concerning his/her present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications other matters relating to his/her health.
• The patient is responsible for reporting perceived risks in their care and unexpected changes in their condition to their responsible practitioner.
• The patient and family are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about the patient’s care or what they are expected to do.
• The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan established by his/her physician, including the instructions of nurses and other health professionals as they carry out the physician’s orders.
• The patient is responsible for assuring the financial obligations of his/her hospital care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• The patient is responsible for following hospital policies and procedures.
• The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
• The patient is responsible for being respectful of his/her personal property and that of other persons in the hospital.

Patient Grievance

A patient’s grievance will be addressed in a timely manner by the department manager where the patient is located or by the Compliance Officer at 618.498.8312 or by the Chief Executive Officer at 618.498.8301. A patient may also contact the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), regardless of whether he/she uses the hospital’s grievance process.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: 800.252.4343
www.idph.state.il.us

Reporting a complaint to The Joint Commission Office of Quality Monitoring:
The Joint Commission One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: 800.994.6610
Fax: 630.792.5636
complaint@jointcommission.org

All patient grievances will be addressed and a written response will be given within seven days.

The JCH Compliance Hotline number is 618.498.8302.  All calls are anonymous and without retaliation.