As a patient, you have certain rights and responsibilities.

Rights

As a patient, you have the right to

• Be treated with courtesy, respect and dignity and have privacy concerning your medical care.
• Receive a prompt and reasonable response to your questions and requests.
• Know the names of the physicians responsible for your care and any other healthcare team members providing medical services.
• Know what patient support services are available, including help with a hearing impairment or an interpreter in your language if you do not speak English.
• Know what rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.
• Receive written information about Advance Directives and healthcare decision-making options in Florida.
• Participate in decisions that involve your care, including consideration of ethical issues. You have the right to receive information about your diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, prognosis, and outcomes of care that may impact your decisions regarding treatment.
• Accept or refuse any treatment except as otherwise provided by law.
• Be given upon request full information and counseling on financial resources for your care.
• Know upon request and before treatment whether your physician and the hospital accept Medicare assignment rate.
• Receive a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care before your treatment, if you have requested it. The actual costs may be higher based on changes in your condition or treatment needs.
• Receive a copy of a clear and understandable itemized bill and, on request, have the charges explained.
• Have impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of age, race, religion, source of payment, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, color, marital status, or gender.
• Be treated for any emergency medical condition that will worsen if treatment is not provided.
• Know if your medical treatment is for research purposes. You may consent or refuse to participate in this research. Your refusal will not affect access to any other services.
• Express grievances about any violation of your rights as stated in Florida law through the grievance procedure of the hospital or healthcare provider that served you and to the appropriate state-licensing agency.
• Receive visitors, phone calls and letters if that does not interfere with medical care.
• Keep and use your personal clothing and possessions if there is space and it does not interfere with another patient or medical care.
• Be free from restraints or seclusion used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.
• Receive appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• Access any mode of treatment, including complementary or alternative healthcare treatments, if you and your physician agree it is in your best interest and it is offered by the hospital.

Responsibilities

As a patient, it is your responsibility to

• Give your healthcare team accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other health matters.
• Report unexpected changes in your condition to your healthcare team.
• Tell your healthcare team if you don't understand a planned course of treatment or what is expected of you.
• Follow the recommended treatment plan.
• Keep appointments and notify the hospital when you are unable to do so.
• Accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow the healthcare teams' instructions.
• Meet your financial obligations promptly.
• Follow hospital rules and regulations about patient care and conduct.
• Let your healthcare team know if you have an Advance Directive, such as a Living Well.
• Respect the property of others and of the hospital.