Patient Bill of Rights

Patient Rights

Each patient is informed of their rights. A written list of rights is available in each patient room and verbal explanation is provided as needed. Patient rights are posted in the entrance or admission areas at clinics and the hospital. Interactions with the patient throughout their stay reflect support of their rights. The patient will be allowed and encouraged to exercise the following rights:

To participate in the development and implementation of their plan of care.
The patient or their representative (as allowed by State law) has the right to make informed decisions regarding their care. The patient’s rights include being informed of their health status, being involved in care planning and treatment, and being able to request or refuse treatment. This right must not be construed as a mechanism to demand the provision of treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
To formulate advance directives and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.
To have a family member or representative of their choice and their own physician notified promptly of their admission to the hospital.
To personal privacy.
To receive care in a safe setting.
To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
To the confidentiality of their clinical records.
To access information in their clinical records within a reasonable time frame. The hospital must not frustrate the legitimate efforts of individuals to gain access to their own medical records and must actively seek to meet these requests as quickly as its record keeping system permits.
To 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.
To be fully informed of and to consent or refuse to participate in any unusual, experimental or research project without compromising their access to services.
To know the professional status of any person providing their care/services.
To know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for their care.
To know the reasons for their transfer either within or outside the hospital.
To know the relationship(s) of the hospital to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of their care.
Of access to the cost, itemized when possible, of services rendered within a reasonable period of time.
To be informed of the source of the hospital’s reimbursement for their services, and of any limitations which may be placed upon their care.
To have pain treated as effectively as possible.
The hospital will have written policies and procedures regarding visitation rights of patients, including those setting forth any clinically necessary or reasonable restriction or limitation that the hospital may need to place on such rights and the reasons for the clinical restriction or limitation. The hospital must meet the following requirements; 482.13(h)(1)(2)(3)(4) CMS CoP
- The patient (or support person, where appropriate) has the right to be informed of their visitation rights, including any clinical restriction or limitation on such rights, when they are informed of other rights.
- The patient (or support person, where appropriate) has the right to be informed of the right, subject to their consent, to receive the visitors whom they designate, including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including same sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend, and their right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
- The patient has the right to not be restricted, limited or otherwise denied visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
- The patient will be ensured that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences.
The patient’s family has the right of informed consent of donation of organs and tissues.
To impartial access to treatment, regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or handicap.
To exercise of their rights while receiving care or treatment in the hospital without coercion, discrimination or retaliation.
To have a surrogate (parent, legal guardian, person with medical power of attorney) exercise the patient’s rights when the patient is incapable of doing so, without coercion, discrimination or retaliation of the surrogate from SPH.
To interpretation services for individuals who speak languages other than English, use alternative communication techniques or aides for those who are sensory impaired, or take steps to effectively communicate with the patient.
To confidential treatment of their immigration status and their immigrations status will not be used to discriminate against you.
To hospital care without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, marital status, newborn status, or source of payment. Patients will be treated with consideration, respect, and recognition of their individuality and personal needs. Patients’ cultural, psychosocial, spiritual values, and lifestyle choices are respected.
The Vice President of Patient Services is the internal contact for complaints and grievances. Telephone 608-643-7168. Sauk Prairie Healthcare, 260 26th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578.
To be informed in writing about the hospital’s policies and procedures for initiation, review, and resolution of patient’s complaints, including the address where complaints may be filed. Complaints may be filed directly with the Division of Quality Assurance, PO Box 2969, Madison, WI 53701. Telephone 608-266-8481. You may also address your concerns to: Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, PO Box 7850, Madison, WI 53707. Telephone 608-266-9372.
To be informed of the phone number and address of the State Ombudsmen: Board on Aging and Long Term Care, 1402 Pankratz Street, Suite 111, Madison, WI 53704-4001. Telephone 800-815-0015 toll free, fax 608-246-7001.

Patient Responsibilities

Just as you have rights as a patient, you also have obligations. At SPH, we believe that you and your healthcare providers are partners, working together to reach a high level of healthcare. Your obligations to us are:

Provide up-to-date, accurate information about your health to members of your healthcare team.
Ask questions and be sure you understand your treatment plan and medical condition.
Follow the treatment recommended by your physician(s) and other healthcare providers.
Be considerate of other patients’ rights and privacy.
Meet financial obligations to the hospital.
Observe the ban of tobacco use on the property.

Printable Patient Rights