Patient Center
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
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At Meriter Hospital, we believe that patients who understand and participate in their health care achieve better results. Therefore, we encourage a partnership between you (or whoever makes decisions for you) and your health care team at Meriter. Your role as a member of this team is to exercise your rights and to take responsibility by asking for clarification of things you do not understand.
You Have the Right to:
Considerate and Respectful Care
We respect your right to:
- Receive quality treatment and continuity of care within the scope of our mission
- Be treated with dignity and without discrimination, abuse or harassment
- Ask all personnel involved in your care to introduce themselves, state their role in your care, and explain what they are going to do for you
- Have your pain assessed appropriately and managed effectively
- Not be restrained, unless medically necessary
- Be in a safe setting
- Examine your hospital bill and to have it explained to you. Financial Counselors in the business office are available to answer questions regarding your bill, insurance coverage and financing your treatment costs
Information About Treatment
Your treatment will be explained to you. You may choose to include any family members or friends in this discussion. You can expect an explanation to include:
- Your diagnosis
- Alternatives of treatment
- The probable outcome
- The benefits and risks of each alternative
You may review your medical record with a health care provider and have the information explained and interpreted. If you are hearing impaired or have difficulty with the English language, every effort will be made to provide you with an interpreter or other translation assistance, at no extra charge. You may request this service by asking your health care provider or calling Interpreter Services at (608) 417-6276.
It is your right to be informed of any experimental or research activities that may be involved in your treatment. You will be asked if you wish to participate in these activities, and have the right to refuse to participate in such activities.
Decisions About Your Care
We respect your right:
- To participate in the development and implementation of the plan for your care
- To give informed consent prior to the start of any test, surgery, procedure or treatment
- To be given a full explanation before you are transferred to another facility, should the need arise, such as needing a service not provided by Meriter
- To refuse any procedure or treatment
- To discontinue current treatment. If you elect to refuse treatment, you will be informed of the medical consequences of your decision
- To have an Advance Medical Directive (Power of Attorney for Health Care or a Declaration to Physicians / Living Will), which gives directions about your future medical care or designates another person to make medical decisions for you if you are incapable of doing so. For more information about Advance Medical Directives, please contact Patient and Family Services at (608) 417-6027 or visit our Advance Medical Directives section.
If you are a minor, your family and/or legal guardian will be involved in all treatment planning decisions for you.
Ethical Decisions
We understand that you and your family may find it necessary to make difficult treatment choices while you are here. We respect your right to make an individual decision that is based on your personal beliefs and values as well as on the available medical information. If there is disagreement about your care that cannot be resolved through discussion with caregivers or if difficult ethical issues arise, Meriter's Ethics Advisory Group is available to patients, families and caregivers to serve as a forum for discussion and problem solving. You may ask your healthcare provider to contact a member of the Ethics Advisory Group, or you may call the Patient Representative directly at (608) 417-6462.
Privacy
Case discussion, examinations and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly. In addition, you have the right to:
- Close the curtain around your bed, or close the door when you want privacy
- Request no visitors / phone calls or designate who may visit and/or call you during your stay
- Request "Privacy Status" to protect your identity as a hospitalized patient
Confidentiality
You are assured confidential treatment of your written and electronic medical records, and may approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the Meriter system. You have the right to know your medical record can be released without written consent:
- To the physicians who referred you to Meriter
- As required by court order
- As required for third party payers; for example, insurance companies and Medicare
- To medical personnel in the case of a medical emergency
- To any other authorized legal representative
Concerns or Complaints
You have the right to voice complaints regarding the quality of care and services you receive, and are assured that a complaint will in no way compromise your access to care. If you do have a complaint or you feel your rights are not being respected, please let your health care providers know, or call Meriter's Patient Representative at (608) 417-6462.
You also have the right to file a grievance with the State of Wisconsin:
Department of Health and Family Services
Office of Quality Assurance
1 West Wilson
P.O. Box 2969
Madison, WI 53701-2969
Phone: (608) 266-8481
You may also contact The Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints. They can be reached at 1-800-994-6610 or complaint@jointcommission.org.
You Have a Responsibility to:
Provide Complete Medical Information
Provide accurate and complete information about your present health status, your medical history, medications and Advance Medical Directives (Power of Attorney for Health Care or a Declaration to Physicians / Living Will).
Ask for Clear Explanations
If the explanation of your diagnosis, treatment or your role in your care is not clear, ask questions until you understand.
Make Informed Decisions
Because you are responsible for the decisions you make about your care, we encourage you to gather as much information as you need to make your decision. Once you and your physician have decided on a plan for treatment, you have a responsibility to advise your physician if you feel unable to follow the plan. You may be asked to consent in writing to certain tests, procedures or operations. Ask as many questions as you need to fully understand each document you are asked to sign.
Accept Financial Obligations
Ensure that your financial obligations are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
Respect Others' Privacy
It is important to be considerate of other patients by observing their right to privacy, limiting your visitors, and maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Telephones, televisions, radios and lights should be used in a manner agreeable to others.
Follow Hospital Rules and Regulations
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