Dear Patient:
Welcome to Down East Community Hospital. We understand the trust you have placed in us by choosing to come here for your health care. We pledge to do everything we can to fulfill our responsibility to you.
We would like you to know what your rights as a patient are and what will be needed from you for effective care. Your rights are described on the next two pages. What we need from you is found on the third page.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer
President, Medical Staff
President, Board of Trustees
PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
THE RIGHT TO ACCESS QUALITY CARE
You have the right…
- To courteous, respectful, non-discriminatory treatment and care regardless of age, ethnicity, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
- To respectful care with recognition of your personal dignity.
THE RIGHT OF CONFIDENTIALITY, PRIVACY AND SECURITY
You have the right…
- To confidentiality in all communications and records related to your medical care.
- To be free from physical or mental abuse, neglect, and harassment.
- To access protective services.
THE RIGHT OF INFORMATION
You have the right…
- To know the name, position and function of those individuals providing your services.
- To complete, current and understandable information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and any known prognosis in a manner that you can understand.
- To make advance directives, including a Living Will, and to appoint a person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
- To receive an explanation on withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatments.
- To access people outside of the hospital or office by means of visitors and verbal and written communication.
- To have access to interpreter when English is not your primary language.
- To access of your medical records/bills and obtain copies in accordance with hospital policy.
THE RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION
You have the right…
- To participate in decisions concerning all aspects of your care and receive information needed to give informed consent to treatments and procedures.
- To have your family or designated surrogates participate in care decisions.
- To have pastoral care and other spiritual services if you so desire.
- To have your pain managed effectively during your stay.
- To have personal possessions brought to the hospital.
THE RIGHT OF INFORMED CONSENT
You have the right…
- To receive an explanation of your treatment plan and to ask for further clarification if the course of treatment is not understood.
- To accept or refuse medical care to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the consequences if refused.
- To an explanation of the need for a transfer to another facility, including risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- To be informed or any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital.
COMPLAINTS OR GRIEVANCES
You have the right…
- To make a complaint regarding the quality of care you receive and receive a timely response to that complaint and participate in the health care professionals in the discussions and resolution of ethical issues surrounding your care.
- Initially, please contact the Department Leader affiliated with the area of concern
If you feel that your question was not answered or concern unresolved, please contact:
- Calais Community Hospital: Quality Management Department at 454-7521
- Down East Community Hospital: Quality Management Department at 255-3356 x 2264 or Hotline at 255-0264.
If not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint/grievance, you may appeal the decision directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Calais Community Hospital or Down East Community Hospital. Complaints/grievances may also be addressed at the Maine Office of Licensure and Certification at 1-800-383-2441 (207-287-9308)
Division of Licensing and Certification
Att: Complaint Intake
11 State House Station
41 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, ME 04633
AND SOME RESPONSIBILITIES
You have the responsibility…
- To provide to best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications, and other matters relating to your unexpected changes in your condition.
- To follow the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care; this may include other health care professionals.
- To accept responsibility for your actions if you refuse treatment or fail to follow your practitioner’s instructions.
- To follow hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct including not smoking on hospital properties.
To have respect and consideration for the right of other patients and staff In accordance with Federal Law and USDA Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). DECH is an equal opportunity provider and employer.