Temple Community Hospital is committed to delivering quality healthcare to you, our patient, and to making your stay as pleasant as possible. The following section is the California Administrative Code, section 70707, Patient Rights. It is our belief that you, as a patient, have certain rights and considerations while hospitalized.

The following is a list of patient's rights to:

Exercise these rights without regard to sex, cultural, economic, educational, or religious background, or the source of payment for care.

Considerate and respectful care.

Knowledge of the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating the care and the names and professional relationships of other physicians and non-physicians who will see the patient.

Receive information about the illness, the course of treatment and prospects for recovery in terms that the patient can understand.

Receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as the patient may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse this course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in this treatment, alternate courses of treatment or non-treatment and the risks involved in each, and to know the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment.

Participate actively in decisions regarding medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to refuse treatment.

Full consideration of privacy concerning the medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. The patient has the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual.

Confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to the care and the stay in the hospital. Written permission shall be obtained before the medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with the care.

Reasonable responses to any reasonable requests made for service.

Leave the hospital even against the advice of physicians.

Reasonable continuity of care and to know in advance the time and location of appointments, as well as the identity of persons providing the care.

Be advised if hospital/personal physician proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.

Be informed of continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital.

Examine and receive an explanation of the bill regardless of source of payment.

Know which hospital rules and policies apply to the patient's conduct while a patient.

Have all patient's rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on behalf of the patient.

Be informed by the hospital of the patient's rights in advance of furnishing or discontinuing patient care whenever possible.

File a grievance with respect to treatment which has been furnished as well as that which has not been furnished.

Participate in the development and implementation of his or her plan of care.

Formulate advance directives and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.

Have a family member or representative of his or her choice and his or her own physician notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.

Personal privacy, to receive care in a safe setting and to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

The confidentiality of his or her clinical records and the right to access information within a reasonable time frame.

Be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. The term "restraint" includes either a physical restraint or a drug that is being used as a restraint.

Patient Responsibilities

To help us meet your needs, we request that you assume certain responsibilities that will enable the medical center to provide you with quality care. The following section, defined by the American Hospital Association, focuses on patient responsibilities.

We ask that you assume responsibility for:

Providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medication, and other matters relating to your health.

Reporting unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner.

Reporting whether you clearly comprehend a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.

Following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care, implement a responsible practitioner's orders, as they enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations.

Keeping appointments and, when you are unable to do so for any reason, notifying the responsible practitioner or the hospital.

Your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner's instructions.

Assuring that the financial obligations of your healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors. You are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the medical center.

If you have questions or problems, please let us know. If you would like an additional explanation of the "Patient Rights" and "Patient Responsibilities" as they pertain to you, do not hesitate to ask your nurse.