Welcome To Cumberland Medical Center - Patient Rights And Responsibilties

Cumberland Medical Center wants you to have the best possible care as prescribed or recommended by those who are treating you. We want you to know your rights as a patient, as well as your obligations to yourself, your physician and the hospital. You are encouraged to talk openly to those involved with your care.

You Have The Responsibility:

to provide accurate and complete information about present complaint, past illness, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health;
to report unexpected changes in your condition to your nurse or physician;
to notify your physician or nurse if you do not understand your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, or what is expected of you;
to give cooperation and to follow the treatment plan recommended for you by your physician, nurses, or allied health professional;
to assume the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow your practitioners’ instructions;
to accept the financial obligations associated with your care;
to know and follow hospital rules and regulations;
to be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and to assist in the control of noise, smoking and the number of visitors you receive;
to advise your nurse, physician, and/or patient representative of any dissatisfaction you may have regarding your care.

You Have The Right:

to have impartial access to the medical resources of the hospital;
to have considerate, respectful care;
to limit those persons who visit you;
to expect records pertaining to your care, including the source of payment for treatment, to be kept confidential
to know the professional status of the individuals providing your care;
to hear from your primary physician, in language you understand, your diagnosis, the treatment prescribed, the prognosis of your illness, and any instructions required for follow-up care;
to talk openly with your physician;
to know the reason you are given various tests and treatments;
to know the general nature and inherent risk of any procedure or treatments; to change your mind about any procedure for which you have given your consent;
to refuse to sign a consent form when you feel everything has not been explained to your satisfaction;
to refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action;
to request a consultation or a second opinion from another physician;
to examine your hospital bill and to receive an explanation of it;
to have information about the hospital’s mechanism for initiation, review and resolution of patient complaints;
to request the Ethics Committee meeting to address ethical concerns in your treatment and care;
to have information about pain and pain relief measures;
to have healthcare professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain;
to be appropriately involved in treatment and have input into the discharge planning process.