Hackettstown Regional Medical Center - Health Care, Physician Quest, Cardiology,

Newsletter

Patient Rights

Your Rights As A Patient At Hackettstown Regional Medical Center

As a patient in a New Jersey hospital, you have the following rights:

MEDICAL CARE

To receive the care and health services that the hospital is required by law to provide.
To receive appropriate assessment, management and treatment of pain.
To receive an understandable explanation from your physician of your complete medical condition, recommended treatment, expected results, risks involved, and reasonable medical alternatives. If your physician believes that some of this information would be detrimental to your health or beyond your ability to understand, the explanation must be given to your next-of-kin or guardian.
To give informed, written consent prior to the start of specified, non-emergency medical procedures or treatments. Your physician should explain to youin words you understandspecific details about the recommended procedure or treatment, any risks involved, time required for recovery, and any reasonable medical alternatives.
To refuse medication and treatment after possible consequences of this decision have been explained clearly to you, unless the situation is life-threatening or the procedure is required by law.
To be included in experimental research only if you give informed written consent. You have the right to refuse to participate.

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

To be informed of the names and functions of all health care professionals providing you with personal care.
To receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter if you need one to help you communicate with the hospitals health care personnel.
To be informed of the names and functions of any outside health care and educational institutions involved in your treatment. You may refuse to allow their participation.
To receive, upon request, the medical centers written policies and procedures regarding lifesaving methods and the use or withdrawal of life support mechanisms.
To be advised in writing of the hospitals rules regarding the conduct of patients and visitors.
To receive a summary of your patient rights that includes the name and phone number of the hospital staff member to whom you can ask questions or complain about any possible violation of your rights.

MEDICAL RECORDS

To have prompt access to the information in your medical record. If your physician feels that this access is detrimental to your health, your next-of-kin or guardian has a right to see your record.
To obtain a copy of your medical record, at a reasonable fee, within 30 days after a written request to the hospital.

COST OF HOSPITAL CARE

To receive a copy of the hospital payment rates. If you request an itemized bill, the medical center must provide one, and explain any questions you may have. You have a right to appeal any charges.
To be assisted in obtaining any public assistance and private health care benefits to which you may be entitled.

DISCHARGE PLANNING

To receive information and assistance from your attending physician and other health care providers if you need to arrange for continuing health care after your discharge from the hospital.
To receive sufficient time before discharge to arrange for continuing health care needs.
To be informed by the medical center about any appeal process to which you are entitled by law if you disagree with the hospitals discharge plans.

TRANSFERS

To be transferred to another facility only when you, your family or guardian has made the request, or in instances where the transferring hospital is unable to provide you with the care you need.
To receive an advance explanation from a physician of the reasons for your transfer and possible alternatives.

PERSONAL NEEDS

To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect for your dignity and individuality.
To have access to storage space in your room for private use. The hospital must also have a system to safeguard your personal property.

FREEDOM FROM ABUSE AND RESTRAINTS

To have freedom from physical and mental abuse.
To have freedom from restraints, unless they are authorized by a physician for a limited period of time to protect the safety of you or others.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

To have physical privacy during medical treatment and personal hygiene functions, unless you need assistance.
To confidential treatment of information about you.

LEGAL RIGHTS

To treatment and medical services without discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of payment.
To exercise, to the fullest extent possible, all your constitutional, civil, and legal rights.

PRIVATE DUTY NURSING

To contract directly with a New Jersey licensed registered professional nurse of your choosing for private professional nurse care during your hospitalization. Private nurses must adhere to hospital policies and procedures. The hospital, upon request, will provide you with a list of professional nurses registries that refer nurses for private care.

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
To present questions or grievances to a designated hospital staff member and to receive a response in a reasonable period of time. The hospital must provide you with the address and telephone number of the New Jersey Department of Health agency that handles questions and complaints. You may directly contact the N.J. Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770. (The address of the Department of Health is: Complaint Program, P.O. Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.)

A complaint can be filed directly with the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center Patient Representative: Ann Edwards, Patient Relations, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, 651 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Telephone: (908) 441-1198.

The public may contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jcaho.org.

This list of Patient Rights is an abbreviated summary of the current New Jersey laws and regulations governing the rights of hospital patients. For more complete information, consult N.J. Department of Health regulations at N.J.A.C.8:45G-4, or Public Law 1989-Chapter 170, available through your hospital.