Rights & Responsibilities

The patient has the right to expect the following actions from his/her Physician and Endoscopy Center staff:

RIGHTS OF PATIENTS
The following list of patient rights is not intended to be all inclusive
The patient or legally authorized person has the right to exercise his or her rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.

RESPECT
The patient has the right to be treated with respect, consideration and dignity.  The patient should be able to exercise these rights and be treated without regard to gender, race, age, national origin or ancestry, economic, disability, source of payment, marital status, sexual preference, educational or religious background without fear of discrimination or reprisal.

CONSIDERATION & SAFETY
The patient has a right to receive care in a safe setting.

The patient has the right to be free from neglect, exploitation, and mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.

The patient has the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or when indicated to protect the patient or others from injury.

The patient has the right to quality care and services delivered pursuant to high professional standards that are continually reviewed and consistently maintained.

The patient has a right to access communication aids, such as an interpreter, when feasible.

The patient has the right to expect that any architectural barriers identified will be addressed, and, whenever feasible, such barriers will be modified or corrected.

The patient has the right to expect emergency procedures to be readily available and implemented without unnecessary delay.

DIGNITY/PRIVACY
The patient has the right to privacy concerning his or her own medical care. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are considered confidential and shall be discussed discreetly with the patient.

CONFIDENTIALITY
A patient has the right to have records pertaining to his/her medical care treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third party contractual arrangements.

A patient has the right to inspect or receive a copy of his/her medical record.  Patient’s medical records are confidential, and he/she may refuse to consent to its release except as required for transfer to another health care facility, by law or for third-party reimbursement.

Patient has the right to be provided appropriate privacy and confidentiality concerning their medical care, including being advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual directly involved or observing their care.

INFORMATION
The patient has the right to know the identity, professional status, institutional affiliation and credentials of health care professionals providing his/her care, and be assured these individuals have been appropriately credentialed according to the policies of the Center.

The patient has the right to know what Center rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.

The patient has the right to know the services available at the Center.

The patient has the right to be provided appropriate information regarding the absence of malpractice insurance coverage.

The patient has the right to expect continuity of care.  The patient will not be discharged or transferred to another facility without prior notice, except in the case of a medical emergency and within the limits of legal regulations.

The patient has the right to have provisions for after-hour and emergency care.

The patient has the right to have information regarding advance directive.  The Center will provide the information upon request by the patient.

The patient has the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of his/her bill for services.

The patient has the right to request an itemized statement of services provided to him/her along with the right to be informed of the payment methodology utilized.

The patient has the right to expect that the Center will provide information for continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.

PARTICIPATION IN CARE
The patient has the right to full information in layman’s terms, concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatment and possible complications before the treatment or procedure is performed. When it is not medically advisable to give the information to the patient, the information shall be given to the person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person. Except for emergencies, the practitioner shall obtain the necessary informed consent prior to the procedure.

The patient or legal representative has the right to actively participate in decisions about his/her care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.

A patient may refuse to participate in a research project or experimental research. A patient may refuse to continue in a program to which he/she has previously given informed consent.

A patient has the right to refuse drugs or procedures, to the extent permitted by statute, and a practitioner shall inform the patient of medical consequences of the patient’s refusal of drugs or procedures.

A patient has the right to change his/her provider if other qualified providers are available.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY:
The care a patient receives depends partially on the patient.  Therefore, in addition to these rights, a patient has certain responsibilities that are presented to the patient in the spirit of mutual trust and respect:

Patient has the responsibility to follow the treatment plan prescribed by his/her provider.

Patient is encouraged to ask any and all questions of the physician and staff in order that he/she may have a full knowledge of the procedure and aftercare.

Patient has the responsibility to provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities.  We cannot adequately treat your illness or injury unless you tell us what is wrong and notify us of any significant changes in your condition.

Patient has the responsibility to provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if required by his/her provider.

Patient has the responsibility to inform his/her physician about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect his/her care.

The patient is ultimately responsible for assuring that all financial obligations for the health care provided are met as promptly as possible.  The patient has the responsibility for the payment of services if he/she has no insurance coverage, and the insured patient is responsible for that portion of the bill deemed by the insurance company to be his/her co-pay, deductible or remaining responsibility.

Patient has the responsibility to be respectful of all the health care providers and staff, as well as other patients and their escort(s).

Patient is entitled to exercise all of his/her rights as a patient and as a citizen; however, the patient is also responsible for adhering to Center rules for his/her protection and the protection of other patients.

PATIENT GRIEVANCES:
The patient has the right to a fair and efficient process for resolving differences that result from care rendered at the Center.
The patient and family are encouraged to help the facility improve its understanding of the patient’s environment by providing feedback, suggestions, comments and/or complaints regarding the service needs, and expectations.

A complaint or grievance should be registered by contacting the Center and/or a patient advocate at the Michigan Department of Health or Medicare (contact information below).

The Michigan Endoscopy Center will respond in writing with notice of how the grievance has been addressed:

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES:
In accordance with Michigan law, this Center must inform you that we are not required to honor and do NOT honor DNR directives.  A healthcare power of attorney will be honored.

If a patient should provide his/her advance directive a copy will be placed on the patient’s medical record and transferred with the patient should a hospital transfer be ordered by his/her physician.

In order to assure that the community is served by this facility, information concerning advanced directives is available at the facility.

PHYSICIAN PARTICIPATION:
This is to inform you that your physician might have a financial interest or ownership in this Center.  The following are physicians who have a direct or indirect ownership interest:

PATIENT RIGHTS NOTIFICATION:
Each patient and/or legally authorized personnel will be notified of his/her rights in the following manner:
A written notice provided in advance of the day of their surgery in a manner that the patient or the patient’s legally authorized personnel understands.

A verbal notice provided in advance of the day of their surgery in a manner that the patient or the patient’s legally authorized personnel understands.

A posted notice visible by patients and families waiting for treatment.